Employees entitled to time-off on Election Day
KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (EOJ) is reminding employers that employees are entitled to three hours’ time-off from work to vote in the upcoming general election and local government by-elections on Wednesday, September 3.
The EOJ says the three hours’ time-off to vote is in addition to the usual lunch hour.
However, the commission says the law does not apply to individuals who commence work at 10:00 am or later or end work at or before 2:00 pm.
This is in according to paragraph 4 of the Representation of the People Regulations, 1944 that states:
(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), every employer shall permit each of his employees to be absent from his work on polling day for three hours in addition to the normal meal hour.
(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any employee whose work on polling day commences at or after 10:00 am or concludes before or at 2:00 pm.
