In Chad, the Labor Code stipulates that employees who meet certain eligibility criteria are entitled to paid vacation leave, also known as annual leave.

Entitlement

According to Article 133 of the Labor Code, employees are entitled to two working days of paid annual leave for each month of actual service. This translates to approximately 24 working days of leave per year.

Accrual

Vacation leave is accrued over time. Employees cannot take all of their leave at the start of their employment period.

Eligibility

All employees, regardless of their length of service, are entitled to annual leave as per the Labor Code.

Scheduling

The timing of vacations should be mutually agreed upon by employers and employees. According to Article 133 of the Labor Code, employers should prioritize the rest and recuperation needs of the employee.

Compensation

Employees receive their regular wages during their annual leave period.

Important Considerations

Collective Agreements

Collective bargaining agreements may provide more generous vacation leave entitlements than the minimum requirements outlined in the Labor Code.

Record Keeping

Employers are obligated to maintain accurate records of employees' vacation leave accrual and usage.

In Chad, a variety of secular, religious (both Christian and Muslim), and historical holidays are observed throughout the year.

Secular Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1st): This day marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year.
• National Day (January 11th): This day commemorates the creation of the Republic of Chad in 1958.
• Labor Day (May 1st): This day honors workers' contributions to society.
• Independence Day (August 11th): This day celebrates Chad's independence from France in 1960.
• Proclamation of the Republic (November 28th): This day marks the anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Chad in 1958.
• Freedom and Democracy Day (December 1st): This day commemorates the rise of President Idriss Déby to power in 1990.

Christian Holidays

• Easter Monday: This is the day following Easter Sunday, celebrated by Christians.
• Christmas Day (December 25th): This day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Muslim Holidays

• Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan): This day marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The exact date varies depending on the lunar calendar.
• Eid al-Adha/ Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice): This day commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The exact date varies depending on the lunar calendar.
• Mawlid an-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad): This day celebrates the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. The exact date varies depending on the lunar calendar.

In Chad, labor laws provide various leave provisions for employees, governed primarily by the Labor Code of Chad (Code du Travail du Tchad).

Annual Leave

Employees become eligible for 2 working days of paid annual leave for each month of continuous service. This generally amounts to 24 working days annually. Leave accrues over time and cannot be taken all at once at the beginning of an employment period. Employers and employees should mutually agree upon vacation timing, considering the company's operational needs and the employee's preference for rest.

Sick Leave

The duration of paid sick leave depends on the employee's length of service. For those with less than 5 years of service, they can avail up to 6 months of full pay. For those with 5-10 years of service, they can avail 6 months full pay, and 6 months half pay. For those with 10+ years of service, they can avail 12 months full pay. A medical certificate is generally required to substantiate sick leave.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to 14 weeks of fully paid maternity leave, typically 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after childbirth. This is available to women who have been employed for at least six months.

Other Types of Leave

Employees may be granted a short leave period in the event of the death of a close family member. The Labor Code does not explicitly specify bereavement leave, but it may be covered under special personal leave provisions. Employees may also be allowed time off for significant family events, such as marriages, births, or other important ceremonies. In some circumstances, employees may negotiate unpaid leave with their employers.