Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements is a critical aspect of compliance and employee satisfaction when operating in Cote d'Ivoire. The country's labor code outlines specific requirements regarding various types of leave, including annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave. Understanding these regulations is essential for employers to ensure they are meeting their legal obligations and providing fair treatment to their workforce.
Navigating the nuances of Ivorian labor law can be complex, particularly for foreign companies. This overview provides key information on the standard leave entitlements employees are typically granted, helping employers structure their policies in accordance with local requirements for 2025.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Cote d'Ivoire are entitled to paid annual leave. The minimum entitlement is generally calculated based on length of service.
- Accrual: Employees typically accrue 2 days of paid leave per month of service.
- Minimum Entitlement: After one year of service, an employee is entitled to a minimum of 24 working days of paid leave.
- Increased Entitlement: The leave entitlement increases with age and length of service. For employees under 18, the entitlement is 2.5 days per month. For employees over 50, the entitlement is 30 working days per year, regardless of seniority.
- Leave Period: Annual leave must generally be taken within the 12 months following the period during which it was accrued.
- Payment: Employees must receive their vacation pay before commencing their leave.
| Service Duration | Minimum Annual Leave (Working Days) |
|---|---|
| Per month | 2 |
| After 1 year | 24 |
| Employee < 18 | 2.5 per month |
| Employee > 50 | 30 per year |
Public Holidays
Cote d'Ivoire observes several public holidays throughout the year. Employees are generally entitled to a paid day off on these holidays. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, it is often observed on the following Monday.
While the exact dates for some religious holidays in 2025 may vary slightly based on lunar calendars, the typical public holidays include:
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Easter Monday (Date varies)
- Labour Day (May 1)
- Ascension Day (Date varies)
- Whit Monday (Date varies)
- Assumption Day (August 15)
- All Saints' Day (November 1)
- National Day (August 7)
- Peace Day (November 15)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr - Date varies)
- Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha - Date varies)
- Birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Mawlid - Date varies)
Note: Dates for religious holidays (Easter, Ascension, Whit Monday, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Mawlid) are subject to confirmation closer to the time.
Sick Leave Policies and Pay
Employees in Cote d'Ivoire are entitled to sick leave in case of illness or injury.
- Entitlement: The duration of paid sick leave depends on the employee's length of service.
- Up to 1 month of service: 5 days at full pay.
- 1 to 5 years of service: 1 month at full pay, followed by 2 months at half pay.
- Over 5 years of service: 2 months at full pay, followed by 4 months at half pay.
- Medical Certificate: Employees are typically required to provide a medical certificate from a recognized doctor to justify their absence due to illness or injury, usually within 48 hours.
- Extended Illness: For illnesses or injuries requiring longer absences, the employment contract may be suspended for a period, depending on the length of service and the nature of the illness, as defined by the labor code.
| Service Duration | Full Pay Sick Leave | Half Pay Sick Leave |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 month | 5 days | 0 |
| 1 to 5 years | 1 month | 2 months |
| Over 5 years | 2 months | 4 months |
Parental Leave
Ivorian law provides for parental leave, primarily focusing on maternity leave.
- Maternity Leave: Pregnant employees are entitled to 14 weeks of maternity leave. This typically includes 6 weeks before the expected date of birth and 8 weeks after. This leave can be extended by up to 3 weeks in case of illness resulting from the pregnancy or childbirth.
- Pay: During maternity leave, the employee receives benefits from the National Social Security Fund (CNPS), often supplemented by the employer to reach full pay, depending on collective agreements or company policy.
- Protection: Pregnant employees and those on maternity leave are protected against dismissal.
- Paternity Leave: While not as extensive as maternity leave, the labor code or collective agreements may provide for a short period of paternity leave, typically a few days, often paid.
- Adoption Leave: Specific statutory provisions for adoption leave are less defined compared to maternity leave, but collective agreements or company policies may grant leave for adoptive parents.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond the standard categories, the Ivorian labor code and common practice recognize other types of leave for specific circumstances.
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically granted a short period of paid leave (e.g., 2-5 days) in the event of the death of a close family member (spouse, child, parent).
- Marriage Leave: Employees may be entitled to a few days of paid leave for their own marriage.
- Study Leave: Under certain conditions and often based on collective agreements, employees may be granted unpaid or partially paid leave for educational purposes.
- Leave for Family Events: Short periods of paid leave may be granted for other significant family events, such as the marriage of a child or the baptism of a child.
- Sabbatical Leave: Sabbatical leave is not a statutory entitlement but may be offered by employers based on company policy or negotiated in collective agreements, typically for long-serving employees.
