Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements in Madagascar requires a clear understanding of the country's labor code. Employers operating in Madagascar must comply with specific regulations regarding annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, parental leave, and other types of statutory time off. Adhering to these requirements ensures compliance and supports positive employee relations.
Understanding the various leave categories and their associated rules is crucial for businesses employing staff in Madagascar, whether local or expatriate. This guide outlines the key provisions for employee leave entitlements as typically stipulated under Malagasy labor law for the year 2025.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Madagascar are entitled to paid annual leave. The minimum entitlement is typically calculated based on the length of service.
- Accrual: Employees generally accrue 2.5 working days of paid leave per month of actual service.
- Minimum Entitlement: This translates to a minimum of 30 working days of paid leave per year for employees who have completed one year of service.
- Service Calculation: The right to leave is acquired after one year of continuous service with the same employer.
- Timing: The timing of annual leave is usually determined by the employer, taking into account the needs of the business and the employee's preferences. Leave must generally be taken within a specific period after it is accrued.
- Carry-over: Specific rules may apply regarding the carry-over of unused leave days to the following year.
Public Holidays
Madagascar observes several public holidays throughout the year. Employees are typically entitled to a paid day off on these dates. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, specific rules may apply regarding compensatory time off or pay.
Here are the standard public holidays observed in Madagascar, with estimated dates for 2025:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| March 29 | Commemoration of the 1947 Rebellion |
| April 21 | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Labour Day |
| May 29 | Ascension Day |
| June 9 | Whit Monday |
| June 26 | Independence Day |
| August 15 | Assumption Day |
| November 1 | All Saints' Day |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
Note: Dates for holidays based on the lunar calendar (like Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha, if observed) are not fixed and would need specific confirmation closer to the time.
Sick Leave
Employees in Madagascar are entitled to sick leave in case of illness or injury that prevents them from working.
- Entitlement: The duration of paid sick leave can vary depending on the employee's length of service and the specific terms of their employment contract or collective agreement.
- Medical Certificate: Employees are generally required to provide a medical certificate from a registered doctor to justify their absence due to illness.
- Pay: During sick leave, employees may be entitled to receive their regular salary, often for a limited period, with potential provisions for longer-term illness covered by social security or insurance. The specific percentage of pay and duration of entitlement are typically defined by labor law or collective agreements.
Parental Leave
Madagascar's labor law includes provisions for parental leave, primarily covering maternity leave.
- Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to maternity leave. The standard duration is typically 14 weeks, which includes time before and after childbirth. This leave is generally paid, often through a combination of employer and social security contributions.
- Paternity Leave: While not as extensive as maternity leave, there may be provisions for a short period of paid paternity leave for fathers around the time of childbirth.
- Adoption Leave: Specific provisions for adoption leave may exist, though they might be less defined than maternity leave and could depend on individual circumstances or company policy.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond the main categories, Malagasy labor law may recognize other types of leave for specific circumstances.
- Bereavement Leave: Employees may be entitled to a short period of paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member.
- Marriage Leave: Leave may be granted for an employee's own marriage.
- Study Leave: Provisions for study leave may exist, particularly for employees pursuing further education or training relevant to their work, though this is often subject to employer discretion or specific agreements.
- Leave for Family Events: Short periods of leave might be granted for significant family events, such as the marriage of a child.
The specific entitlements and conditions for these other types of leave can vary and are often detailed in collective bargaining agreements or company policies, provided they meet or exceed the minimum standards set by the labor code.
