Dominica’s Ministry of Labour will investigate reports of unfair pay and apply legal sanctions to ensure all employers comply with the nation's new minimum wage
Dominica: The Government of Dominica will hear and investigate unfair payment reports and ensure that the necessary measures are taken to resolve the citizens' concerns.
On Saturday, April 4, 2026, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Public Service Reform, Social Partnership, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, Gloria Joseph, stated that the Government has taken a step to address the public’s concerns regarding the employees’ unfair payment. The steps will ensure fair wages are being paid to all in Dominica.
Lately, many workers in Dominica have been complaining about the earnings they have been receiving from their workplaces, stating that they are not being compensated according to the new minimum wage structure that came into effect in December last year.
Addressing these unfair pay concerns, Permanent Secretary Gloria Joseph first urged the employees to report any incident of unfair payment in case the issue is not resolved inside the workplace. She did this to emphasise that it is within their right to challenge the employers who do not comply with the approved minimum wage structure.
The Permanent Secretary went on to explain the measures that the Government has implemented to tackle this issue by providing a few steps that will be followed if any employee reports
She shared that in case of any noncompliance reports from a worker; the first step the Government will take is to listen to the case and then investigate the truth or validity of the claim.
Thirdly, she added that the Government will be an intermediary between the employer and employee, seeking conciliation by “using alternate dispute mechanism” to reconcile the two parties.
In cases where reconciliation will not be achieved, the Government will appoint an independent tri-party body that will hear the case as prescribed by the minister, who will give the right to issue a warrant for a tribunal hearing where the case will be reviewed and decided on.
Permanent Secretary Joseph stressed that if the employer is not excused from the unfair payment reporting, he or she will be liable to pay a fine, including paying for the past underpayments.
“Upon doing all the investigations, affirmative action based on the law will be taken if you're not excused from the action. That could include a fine, and it could include instructing you to pay current or retroactive to bring things in alignment,” stated the Permanent Secretary.