By: Joseph Boll
June 18, 2024
Successfully working from home in the Caribbean can seem daunting, and many don’t consider it a possibility at all. This is why resources to help support remote workers who live and work in the Caribbean specifically can be hard to find.
As the region’s leading digital talent acquisition service and online job board dedicated specifically to Caribbean jobseekers, Caribbean Employment wants to help provide information and resources that can help the region’s working people navigate a form of
working that has still not quite been as widely accepted as it has in other parts of the world.
Many Caribbean workers and jobseekers doubt that it’s possible to work remotely in the region at all. Considering how popular people-facing industries like tourism and hospitality have been, and largely continue to be, in the region, that doubt is understandable.
However, it is definitely possible to work remotely in the Caribbean. Many companies shifted to remote work during the worst of the pandemic, and some continue to offer remote or hybrid arrangements now.
Having said that, one of the biggest challenges workers face is ensuring they have the requirements that allow them to work remotely. This includes many prerequisites taken for granted in 1st World countries, such as stable internet connectivity and electricity, which may not necessarily be readily available in some parts of the Caribbean.
As a minimum, someone who wants to work remotely in the Caribbean will need:
- Reliable access to a strong internet connection
- Reliable electricity or equipment with long-lasting battery capacity
- Electronic equipment (laptop, desktop computer, cell phone, tablet, etc.)
- Other equipment that may be needed (professional headset, etc.)
- A secure and quiet environment in which to work
Although not everyone has access to these at home, that does not necessarily bar them from working remotely. Over the course of the pandemic, as digital nomads who move around the world while working remotely grew more widespread, remote workspaces such as internet cafes or shared coworking spaces have become popular. A Caribbean worker who has access to such a space can still become a remote worker.
Furthermore, Caribbean jobseekers can work remotely for employers in their own home country, in other Caribbean countries and even abroad. Depending on the labour laws, many international countries allow an employer to hire a remote foreign worker if that worker is still living in their respective home country.
For instance, many Caribbean jobseekers do not realize that they can work remotely for an employer in the U.S. while still living in their home country. This can be a great way to earn a high salary after the conversion rate, all while still enjoying the comforts of home and contributing to your local economy.
The free online job board available at Caribbean Employment Services Inc. allows Caribbean jobseekers to easily browse remote job openings in any location and apply for those that match their skill set and interests. In today’s age, it’s easier than ever for Caribbean workers to find remote work available to them.
(The author is the chief executive officer of Caribbean Employment Services, based on Barbados.)
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