The Dominican Republic is the most-visited island country in the Caribbean Sea. It occupies about 5/8 of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. The Dominican Republic has the largest economy in the Caribbean and has been the fastest-growing economy in the Western Hemisphere over the past 25 years.

Palm tree-studded beaches, rainforests, Spanish architecture, and more make the Dominican Republic a wonderful location for remote workers.

The minimum wage in the Dominican Republic varies according to the size of the company, ranging from approximately DOP 18,400 to DOP 30,000 per month. The standard workweek consists of 40 to 44 hours, with a maximum of 8 hours per day. Any hours worked beyond this limit are considered overtime and must be compensated at 135% of the regular rate, or at 200% when performed on public holidays.

Parental Leave

In the Dominican Republic, pregnant employees are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, which must commence at least six weeks prior to the expected date of delivery. Eligibility is granted from the first day of employment, with no minimum tenure requirement. Fathers are entitled to 3 consecutive days of paid paternity leave, which must be taken immediately following the birth of the child, typically within the first week after delivery.

Sick Leave

After 3 days of sick leave, social security will start to pay a percentage of the employees’ wages during the leave.

Paid Leave

The Dominican Republic observes 12 public holidays annually. Employees who have completed one year of service with their employer are entitled to 14 working days of paid annual leave, with an additional 4 days granted upon completion of five years of service. Employees may also be granted leave for events such as marriage or bereavement.

Process

Employee contracts in the Dominican Republic can be terminated for just cause or simply at the employer’s discretion.

Notice Period

The notice period for employees terminated at the employer’s discretion is between 7-28 days.

Severance Pay

Employees dismissed at the employer’s discretion are entitled to severance pay that is calculated based on the length of employment at the company. No employee compensation is required if the termination is for just cause.

Employers are required to provide a Christmas bonus each year, equal to one month’s salary, typically paid around December 20.