OECS OnBoarding Brochure: Dominica

ORGANISATION OF EASTERN CARIBBEAN STATES

MOVING TO DOMINICA Things you need to know

Map of Dominica

What you need to know

AIR TRAVEL Air travel provided on first passage for employee and family members under the age of 18 and spouse (common law included)

PERSONAL EFFECTS Shipment of personal effects of employee and dependents up to a max. of a 20ft container plus a vehicle.

SETTLEMENT GRANT Settlement grant of one (1) month base salary will be paid upon arrival.

HOUSING Housing for the first month at the expense of the Commission is available, however, should the employee decide to take this option, the employee forfeits that month’s housing allowance.

DUTY FREE CONCESSIONS All professional staff at MPP1 and above are entitled to duty free concessions on a vehicle during the first 6 months of employment (after a 3-month probationary period); MPP5 and above are entitled every 4 years).

PROBATIONARY PERIOD There is a mandatory probation period of 3 months for all employees.

What you need to know (cont'd)

TRANSPORTATION Transportation will be provided from the airport to place of residence upon arrival into Dominica. For the first month, employees will be transported to and from work and where possible may be provided with transportation to the supermarket/bank, etc.

NATIONAL INSURANCE All non-nationals are required to obtain an NIC number which should be submitted to HR upon receipt.

DRIVER'S LICENSE OECS nationals only require a valid national license, while non-OECS nationals require a Dominican driver’s licence to drive on the island.

ORIENTATION During your first few days you will be required to attend an orientation session.

NECESSARY DOCUMENTS For seamless transitioning, there are a few important items/documents one should have before leaving country of origin: At least 5 passport size photographs Birth Certificates Marriage Certificate Referral letter from home bank Referral letters from schools

What you need to know (cont'd)

CURRENCY In Dominica, business is usually conducted in XCD and USD. The exchange rate is fixed at USD 1 = XCD 2.7169.

VOLTAGE Dominica has 220 volt electricity. The cycles (Hz) are 50 per second.

LANGUAGE The local languages used are English and French Creole.

LOCAL TAX The VAT Rate (2018) in Dominica is 15% and is charged on sale of taxable goods and services.

PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES All staff are granted diplomatic immunities and privileges in keeping with international protocols for employees of an international organisation.

What you need to know (cont'd)

WORK PERMITS / CARICOM CERTIFICATES Non-OECS staff, and their spouses who wish to work in Dominica, would need to apply for a work permit or a CARICOM Skills Certificate.

Applicants must provide a completed application form along with the original and a copy of the following documents: Passport (copy of the bio page) Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate Police Certificate of Character from country of birth Police Certificate of Character from host country (if residing for more than 6 months) Proof of Qualification 2 Passport-sized photographs Work Permits and CSME Certificates can be obtained from: Labour Division 2nd Floor, Government Headquarters Roseau 767 266 3553

Public Holidays 2018

NEW YEAR'S DAY

1 January

CARNIVAL MONDAY

12 February

CARNIVAL TUESDAY

13 February

GOOD FRIDAY EASTER MONDAY

30 March 2 April

EMANCIPATION DAY

6 August

INDEPENDENCE DAY

3 November

COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY

4 November

COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY

5 NovemberÂ

CHRISTMAS DAY

25 December

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY

26 December

Essential Services

DOMINICA POLICE HEADQUARTERS

Tel#: (767) 448 2222

DOMINICA FIRE & AMBULANCE SERVICE

Tel#: (767) 266 4459

PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL

Tel#: (767) 448 3321

Other numbers to note: GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS

Tel#: (767) 448 2401

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

Tel#: (767) 266 3256 Tel#: (767) 448 2401

DOMINICA ELECTRICITY SERVICES

Tel#: (767) 255 6000

DOMINICA WATER AND SEWERAGE CO.

Tel#: (767) 448 4811

DOMINICA SOCIAL SECURITY

Tel#: (767) 255 8311

DOMINICA RED CROSS

Tel#: (767) 448 7708

MARPIN 2K4

Tel#: (767) 500 4107

FLOW

Tel#: (767) 255 1000

DIGICEL

Tel#: (767) 616 1500

Supermarkets & Pharmacies

SUPERMARKETS WHITCHURCH IGA SUPERMARKET - OLD STREET J. ASTAPHANS & CO. LTD. - KING GEORGE V STREET SAVE A LOT - KING GEORGE V STREET S-MART - GOODWILL ROAD ACS SUPERMARKET - KING GEORGE V STREET ACS 7-11 - HIGH STREET

PHARMACIES JOLLY’S PHARMACY - KING GEORGE V STREET & GREAT GEORGE STREET BULLS EYE PHARMACY - FEDERATION DRIVE FEDERATION DRIVE - GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET QUICK CARE PHARMACY - QUICK CARE PHARMACY

Banking Services

NATIONAL BANK OF DOMINICA Hillsborough Street & Canefield

BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA Hillsborough Street

FIRST CARIBBEAN INT’L BANK Old Street

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA Bayfront

NATIONAL CO-OP. CREDIT UNION Independence Street

Need Housing?

The Commission has a number of reputable Agents that you may want to contact regarding suitable housing: CHEGON JAMES

Tel#: (767) 275 5455

Blue Ribbon Property Management chegonjames@gmail.com

PAUL BLANCHARD

Tel#: (767) 235 4935

Blue Sky Real Estate info@blueskyrealtors.com

SAFE HAVEN REAL ESTATE

Tel#: (767) 440 0878

info@safehavenrealestate.com

ACE REAL ESTATE info@acerealestate.com

Tel#: (767) 275 1123

Taxi Services

There are several reputable taxi companies in Dominica: GREENER PASTURES TAXI SERVICES

Tel#: (767) 275 3771

Contact: Liz Elizee

Contact: Derwin Peltier

Tel#: (767) 448 3114 Tel#: (767) 235 3360

FAITHFUL TAXI SERVICES

Tel#: (767) 277 1126

MALLY’S TAXI SERVICES

Contact: Hillsbert Felix

LEONARD TAXI SERVICES Contact: Daniel Didier

Tel#: (767) 245 3706

Vehicle Rentals

In the event you wish to explore the island during your free time, there are vehicle rental services available.

ISLAND CAR RENTALS

Tel#: (767) 255 6844

Canefield

COURTESY CAR RENTALS

Tel#: (767) 448 7763

Goodwill

BONUS CAR RENTALS

Tel#: (767) 448 2650

Roseau

AVIS CAR RENTALS

Tel#: (767) 440 2650

Roseau

ROAD RUNNER CAR RENTAL Roseau

Tel#: (767) 275 5337

Prayers & Worship

There are numerous churches of varying denominations all over the island, the main ones being: ROMAN CATHOLIC

ST. ALPHONSUS ROMAN CATHOLIC

St. Gerald Chapel, Roseau

Pottersville

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST

TRUTH AND GRACE FELLOWSHIP

Independence St., Roseau

Independence Street

ANGLICAN

NEW DAY AND DELIVERANCE MINISTRIES

Victoria Street, Roseau

Pottersville

JEHOVA’S WITNESS Goodwill, Roseau

DELIVERANCE BAPTIST Goodwill, Roseau

PEOPLES FAMILY PENTECOSTAL CHURCH Goodwill, Roseau

Medical Services

PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL

Tel#: (767) 448 2231

Goodwill

JUSTIN FADIPE HOSPITAL

Tel#: (767) 446 6791

Mero

ROSEAU HEALTH CENTRE

Tel#: (767) 266 5815

Roseau

ADAMS HEALTH CARE SERVICES

Tel#: (767) 448 3119

Roseau

HARLSBRO MEDICAL CENTRE Roseau

Tel#: (767) 448 0870

Contact the HR Unit: Zena Jules: (758) 455 6322 Eurisca Chandler: (758) 555 6323 Gale Jean Baptiste: (758) 455 6362