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Guinea-Bissau

Vacation and Leave Policies

Understand the regulations on vacation and other types of leave in Guinea-Bissau

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Holiday leave

In Guinea-Bissau, employees may be entitled to some form of paid vacation leave, also known as annual leave, after a certain period of service. This entitlement is typically governed by the General Labor Law (Lei). However, obtaining specific details about vacation entitlement durations, accrual, and compensation provisions within Guinea-Bissau labor laws can be challenging due to the lack of reliable English sources. The General Labor Law of Guinea-Bissau is primarily available in Portuguese, and some online sources may contain outdated information about Guinea-Bissau's labor regulations.

Understanding Your Rights

Your individual employment contract is the most reliable source for your specific vacation leave rights. Your employer's HR department or company handbook should outline their vacation leave policy.

Seeking Professional Advice

If you need more in-depth and verified information, consider consulting a labor law professional in Guinea-Bissau. They can provide accurate and up-to-date advice on your rights and entitlements under the country's labor laws.

Public holidays

In Guinea-Bissau, there are several public holidays celebrated throughout the year. These holidays can be categorized into fixed date holidays and holidays with variable dates.

Fixed Date Holidays

  • New Year's Day (January 1st): This day marks the beginning of the calendar year.
  • National Heroes Day (January 20th): This day commemorates the assassination of Amílcar Cabral, a key figure in the independence movement.
  • International Women's Day (March 8th): This day is dedicated to celebrating women globally.
  • Labor Day (May 1st): This day celebrates workers' contributions internationally.
  • Independence Day (September 24th): This day celebrates Guinea-Bissau's declaration of independence from Portugal in 1973.
  • Armed Forces Day (November 14th): This day honors the military forces of Guinea-Bissau.
  • Christmas Day (December 25th): This is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Holidays with Variable Dates

  • Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan): This holiday marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The exact date varies yearly.
  • Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): This holiday commemorates Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son. The exact date varies yearly.
  • Tabaski (Feast of Sacrifice): This holiday is similar to Eid al-Adha and is another significant holiday within Islam. The exact date varies yearly.

Types of leave

In Guinea-Bissau, employees may have access to various forms of leave. However, due to limited resources, the specifics of these entitlements are difficult to confirm definitively in English.

Vacation Leave

Employees may be entitled to annual paid vacation leave. The specific duration, accrual, and compensation provisions are yet to be confirmed.

Sick Leave

Employees are likely eligible for some form of paid sick leave, especially after a probationary period. However, details on duration and compensation remain hard to verify online in English.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are likely entitled to a period of maternity leave. Specifics on duration and compensation are challenging to confirm.

Other Types of Leave

Information on other potential leave types, such as bereavement and special circumstances, is scarce.

Key Challenges and Recommendations

Reliable, detailed information on Guinea-Bissau's labor laws, including the General Labor Law, is hard to find in English. The relevant labor laws are primarily available in Portuguese. Therefore, your employment contract, company policies, and potential collective agreements in your industry are the most reliable sources. If you need highly specific and verified information, consider consulting a labor law professional in Guinea-Bissau.

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