Understanding vacation and leave policies is crucial for businesses operating in Curaçao. Curaçaoan labor laws outline specific requirements for various types of leave, including annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave. Employers must adhere to these regulations to ensure compliance and maintain positive employee relations. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the key leave entitlements in Curaçao for 2025.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Curaçao are legally entitled to paid annual vacation leave. The minimum entitlement depends on the employee's work schedule.
- For employees working six days a week, the minimum annual vacation entitlement is 15 working days.
- For employees working five days a week, the minimum annual vacation entitlement is 12 working days.
Vacation leave must be granted within the calendar year following the year in which it was accrued. Employers and employees can agree to different arrangements, but the minimum legal requirements must always be met.
Public Holidays
Curaçao observes a number of public holidays each year. Employees are generally entitled to paid time off on these days. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to additional compensation, such as overtime pay or a compensatory day off.
Here is a list of public holidays typically observed in Curaçao:
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Carnival Monday | Varies |
| Good Friday | Varies |
| Easter Monday | Varies |
| King's Day | April 27 |
| Labour Day | May 1 |
| Ascension Day | Varies |
| Flag Day | July 2 |
| Curaçao Day | October 10 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
| Second Day of Christmas | December 26 |
Note: The dates for Carnival Monday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Ascension Day vary each year as they are based on the Christian liturgical calendar.
Sick Leave
Employees in Curaçao are entitled to paid sick leave if they are unable to work due to illness. To qualify for sick leave, an employee typically needs to provide a medical certificate from a registered physician.
The duration and payment of sick leave are generally as follows:
- Employees are usually entitled to 100% of their salary for the first two days of sick leave.
- After the first two days, the employer is generally required to pay 80% of the employee's salary for the duration of the sick leave, up to a maximum period as defined by law.
The maximum duration of paid sick leave can vary depending on the employment contract or collective bargaining agreement.
Parental Leave
Curaçaoan law provides for both maternity and paternity leave to support parents in caring for their newborns or newly adopted children.
Maternity Leave
Female employees are entitled to maternity leave, which typically consists of:
- Six weeks of leave before the expected date of delivery.
- Six weeks of leave after the date of delivery.
During maternity leave, the employee is generally entitled to receive their full salary. Social security usually covers a portion of the salary, with the employer responsible for the remainder.
Paternity Leave
Male employees are entitled to paternity leave upon the birth of their child. The duration of paternity leave is typically:
- Two days of paid leave.
Adoption Leave
The law also provides for adoption leave, granting adoptive parents time off to bond with their newly adopted child. The specific duration and conditions of adoption leave may vary, but they generally align with the principles of maternity and paternity leave.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to the standard leave types, employees in Curaçao may be eligible for other forms of leave, depending on their employment contract, company policies, or collective bargaining agreements. These may include:
- Bereavement Leave: Leave granted to employees upon the death of a close family member. The duration of bereavement leave can vary.
- Study Leave: Leave granted to employees for the purpose of furthering their education or professional development. The terms of study leave, including whether it is paid or unpaid, are typically determined by the employer.
- Sabbatical Leave: Some employers may offer sabbatical leave, allowing employees to take an extended period of time off work, typically for personal or professional development. Sabbaticals are usually unpaid and subject to specific eligibility requirements.
