In Bhutan, the Labour and Employment Act of 2007 governs vacation leave entitlements.

Casual Leave

As per Section 142 of the Labour and Employment Act of Bhutan 2007, employees have a right to 10 days of paid casual leave annually. This leave is usually taken for short-term and generally unforeseen personal reasons. All employees are eligible for casual leave.

Earned Leave

The provisions for earned leave are outlined in Section 143 of the Labour and Employment Act of Bhutan 2007. Employees are entitled to 1 month (30 days) of paid earned leave per year of service. This leave becomes available to employees after they complete one year of continuous service. Leave accrues throughout the working year, and employees can start using it once they are eligible.

Accrual and Carry Forward of Leave

Employees have the ability to accrue and carry forward up to 90 days of unused earned leave to the next year, according to Section 143 of the Labour and Employment Act.

Bhutan is known for its vibrant mix of national, historical, and religious holidays that reflect its unique cultural heritage.

National Holidays

Among the national holidays, Losar, the Bhutanese New Year, is a multi-day celebration based on the Buddhist lunisolar calendar, usually falling in February or March. The Birthday of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is celebrated from February 21-23, commemorating the birth anniversary of the 5th and current Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan. Zhabdrung Kuchoe, a day in April or May, marks the passing anniversary of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, a key figure in Bhutanese history and the unifier of the nation. The Coronation Day of His Majesty The Druk Gyalpo is celebrated on December 17th to commemorate the coronation of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who initiated Bhutan's modernization. National Day is also observed on December 17th, marking the coronation of the first King of Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck, in 1907.

Religious Holidays (with variable dates)

Religious holidays with variable dates include Paro Tshechu and Thimphu Tshechu, which are major religious festivals featuring masked dances, held in different regions on varying dates. Blessed Rainy Day marks the end of the monsoon season. Dashain is a multi-day Hindu festival observed widely by Nepal-origin Bhutanese communities.

Important Notes

The exact dates of some holidays are determined by the lunisolar calendar and can vary slightly from year to year. Government offices and many businesses are closed during public holidays.

In Bhutan, the Labour and Employment Act of 2007 is the main legislation that governs leave entitlements.

Casual Leave

According to Section 142 of the Labour and Employment Act of Bhutan 2007, employees are entitled to 10 days of paid casual leave per year. This type of leave is intended for short-term absences due to unforeseen personal reasons.

Earned Leave

As per Section 143 of the Labour and Employment Act of Bhutan 2007, employees are entitled to 30 days of paid earned leave per year of service. Employees become eligible for this type of leave after completing one year of continuous service.

Sick Leave

Section 144 of the Labour and Employment Act of Bhutan 2007 states that employees are entitled to paid sick leave with compensation based on a percentage of their salary, depending on their length of service. A medical certificate is usually required to claim sick leave exceeding three consecutive days.

Maternity Leave

Sections 145-147 of the Labour and Employment Act of Bhutan 2007 provide that female employees are entitled to 10 weeks (70 days) of paid maternity leave, of which at least 6 weeks should be taken after childbirth. To qualify, employees typically need to have completed at least six months of service.

Other Types of Leave

• Paternity Leave: According to Section 148 of the Labour and Employment Act of Bhutan 2007, spouses who are employees are entitled to 10 days of paid paternity leave.
• Marriage Leave: Section 151 of the Labour and Employment Act of Bhutan 2007 states that employees are entitled to 10 days of paid marriage leave, subject to certain conditions.
• Bereavement Leave: While the Labor and Employment Act doesn't specify bereavement leave, many employers offer it in their company policies.

Important Considerations

Many employers may offer more generous leave entitlements than the legal minimums. Therefore, it's critical to refer to your employment contract and company policy handbook.