In the Union of the Comoros, employees are guaranteed paid vacation leave, also known as annual leave, as per the Labor Code. This is provided they meet certain eligibility requirements.

Entitlement

As per Article 133 of the Labor Code, employees are entitled to two working days of paid annual leave for each month of actual service. This equates to roughly 24 working days of leave annually.

Eligibility

The Labor Code stipulates that all employees, irrespective of their service length, are entitled to annual leave.

Scheduling

The timing of the vacation should be mutually agreed upon by employers and employees, as per Article 136 of the Labor Code. Employers should give priority to the employee's need for rest while also considering operational needs.

Compensation

During their annual leave period, employees are entitled to receive their regular wages, as stated in Article 134 of the Labor Code.

Important Considerations

Collective Agreements

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

Record Keeping

Employers are required to keep accurate records of employees' vacation leave accrual and usage.

In Comoros, a variety of secular, religious (Islamic), and historical holidays are observed throughout the year.

Secular Holidays

New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1st, marking the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. Independence Day is another significant secular holiday, observed on July 6th. This day commemorates Comoros' declaration of independence from France in 1975.

Muslim Holidays

Several Muslim holidays are observed in Comoros. Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, is one of them. The exact date varies depending on the lunar calendar. Eid al-Adha, also known as Tabaski or the Feast of the Sacrifice, commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. This date also varies depending on the lunar calendar. Mawlid an-Nabi, which celebrates the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, is another significant Muslim holiday in Comoros. The exact date of this celebration also depends on the lunar calendar.

Other Holidays

Labor Day is observed on May 1st. This day honors workers' contributions to society. While it is not an official government holiday, it is observed by some organizations.

In the Union of the Comoros, the Labor Code provides various leave provisions for employees.

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:

• Less than 6 months of service: 1 month of full pay
• 6-12 months of service: 2 months of full pay
• Over 1 year of service: 3 months of full pay, 3 months of half pay

Generally, a medical certificate is 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

• Bereavement 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.
• Leave for Family Events: Employees may be allowed time off for significant family events, such as marriages, births, or other important ceremonies.
• Unpaid Leave: In some circumstances, employees may negotiate unpaid leave with their employers.