An island in the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean, bordering Venezuela, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines. With a land mass area of 432km, it has a population of around 300,000 people, making it the least inhabited country in the eastern Caribbean. The economy was greatly influenced by the sugar industry up until the 20th century, but the tourism and manufacturing sectors have gradually become the main contributors to the GDP.
Are you considering relocating here for job opportunities? Or are you an expat looking for work while residing on the Island? If yes, this article provides information on finding a job in Barbados as an expat.
Job search
Finding a job on the Island as an expat is quite challenging. However, foreigners who can speak English are sure to find the job market a bit easier. It is recommended that one secure a job first before relocating to the island, as it is difficult to find work while residing here. Despite this threat, foreigners continue to move here for better job opportunities. Securing a high-level position in native companies located in its main town, Bridgeport is not an easy task. Thus, foreigners who are serious about working here should ensure they meet the requirements of the positions and be highly skilled.
Types of jobs available to expats
Other than the traditional form of working, there are various forms of work ranging from remote to part-time or hybrid, contract-based, internships, freelancing, etc. Industries where expats can find work include but are not limited to tourism, manufacturing, education, etc.
Getting a job in Barbados as an expat
There are numerous ways of finding jobs as an expat but the opportunities available to foreigners are few, as a domestic employer may only hire eligible foreigners to work here. If you are interested in knowing your eligibility, check out the conditions of employment for expats on the Ministry of foreign affairs website. Note that there are many job vacancies in the tourism sector and schools. Popular websites where expats may search for job postings are Infoempleo, Linkedin, Infojobs, Indeed, Glassdoor, et cetera. One major con of working here is that companies are allowed to employ foreigners living outside its shores if a citizen or resident cannot fill the role. It is advisable to hunt for jobs with international companies having branch offices in the country, rather than native organizations.
Language skill
The official language is English, but Bajan is spoken by a small fraction of its population. If you wish to get work faster in the job market, learn to speak English and a bit of Bajan. This will not just aid your job application process but play a vital role in the day-to-day interactions with native citizens living here. Expats who are native English speakers or have a TEFL certificate have higher odds of landing jobs in the teaching field.
Work visa/permit
To work on the island, all expats need a work visa and permit. The visa is normally issued for a stay in line with the duration of the job. It allows foreigners entry into the country to work. The work permit is usually issued by the ministry of foreign affairs to prospective employers and residents looking for work here.
Working hours for Bajan workers
Here, people work for 35 to 40 hours a week, depending on the employment contract. The country does not have strict working hours; most companies begin their business activities by 9 am and close by 5 pm on weekdays. The weekends are general off days except if an expat agrees to work overtime.
You may also find these articles helpful