The question has come up several times lately as to how dive shop employees get paid and what many consider normal employment benefits.
The major differentiation is whether the dive shop is operating above, or below the table. That means "legal" and paying taxes, or not. Then there is a major difference between dive guides/instructors and regular employees such as capitans and bodegeros (laborers).
Almost all dive masters/instructors are treated as independent contractors. Some shops pay them cash or under the table and those are not able to get Social Security even if they want to. The other shops pay them formerly with checks or cash and require facturas (reciepts) from them. Those are legal and may contribute what is a small amount towards their own social security and other government taxes.
Then all dive masters/instructors can buy DAN insurance now matter how they paid. Some shops, like Aldora, pay for the DAN insurance for their dive masters.
For Capitans and bodegeros (laborers) that work as direct employees for the dive shops that operate under the table cannot offer Social Security benefits. They juts pay cash to their employees and if hurt on the job or otherwise, they are on their own! For those shops that are legal and pay taxes, the shops MUST pay social security costs and a host of other expenses for their employees. These include retirement accounts, housing accounts, holiday payments and HUGE severance payments--even if discharged for theft or repeatedly being drunk on duty. Aldora complies with all aspects of the law and does a pretty good job of protecting our employees, many with us for 20 years. I am sure that there are also other reputable, long established shops that do the same
Then there is the issue of dive boats. Trust me, there are plenty in daily operation in Cozumel that are not legally registered or insured or equipped. Can you believe that the law in Mexico actually requires minimal equipment and insurance? But that is another subject.
Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers
The major differentiation is whether the dive shop is operating above, or below the table. That means "legal" and paying taxes, or not. Then there is a major difference between dive guides/instructors and regular employees such as capitans and bodegeros (laborers).
Almost all dive masters/instructors are treated as independent contractors. Some shops pay them cash or under the table and those are not able to get Social Security even if they want to. The other shops pay them formerly with checks or cash and require facturas (reciepts) from them. Those are legal and may contribute what is a small amount towards their own social security and other government taxes.
Then all dive masters/instructors can buy DAN insurance now matter how they paid. Some shops, like Aldora, pay for the DAN insurance for their dive masters.
For Capitans and bodegeros (laborers) that work as direct employees for the dive shops that operate under the table cannot offer Social Security benefits. They juts pay cash to their employees and if hurt on the job or otherwise, they are on their own! For those shops that are legal and pay taxes, the shops MUST pay social security costs and a host of other expenses for their employees. These include retirement accounts, housing accounts, holiday payments and HUGE severance payments--even if discharged for theft or repeatedly being drunk on duty. Aldora complies with all aspects of the law and does a pretty good job of protecting our employees, many with us for 20 years. I am sure that there are also other reputable, long established shops that do the same
Then there is the issue of dive boats. Trust me, there are plenty in daily operation in Cozumel that are not legally registered or insured or equipped. Can you believe that the law in Mexico actually requires minimal equipment and insurance? But that is another subject.
Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers