In Kiribati, the guidelines for vacation leave entitlements for employees are provided by the Employment and Industrial Relations Code 2015 (EIRC).

Entitlement

Per Section 91 of the EIRC 2015, all employees, after completing 12 months of continuous service, are entitled to a minimum of 30 working days of annual leave with full pay.

Accrual and Carryover

Leave accrues progressively throughout the year, and employees are not required to complete the full 12 months before becoming eligible for a portion of their leave. The EIRC 2015 does not explicitly address the carryover of unused leave days. However, it is generally encouraged by employers for employees to utilize their leave within the given year to avoid excessive accrual.

Additional Considerations

It's worth noting that specific companies may have more generous leave policies that exceed the minimum requirements outlined in the EIRC 2015. For details, employees should refer to their employment contracts or company handbooks.

Kiribati, a nation in the central Pacific Ocean, observes several national public holidays throughout the year. These include:

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• International Women's Day (March 8)
• Good Friday (Variable date in March or April)
• Easter Monday (Variable date in March or April)
• National Health Day (Variable date in April)
• Gospel Day (Variable date in July - always the Monday preceding Independence Day)
• National Culture and Senior Citizens Day (Variable date in July - always the Tuesday preceding Independence Day)
• Independence Day (July 12)
• National Youth Day (Variable date in August)
• World Teachers' Day (October 5)
• Human Rights and Peace Day (December 10)
• Christmas Day (December 25)
• Boxing Day (December 26)

Additional Information

The dates for Gospel Day, National Culture and Senior Citizens Day, and National Youth Day are determined annually based on the date of Independence Day. As Kiribati follows a Christian calendar, religious holidays like Good Friday and Easter Monday hold significance.

Public Holidays in Kiribati are declared by the government.

In Kiribati, the Employment and Industrial Relations Code 2015 (EIRC) governs employment conditions and outlines several types of leave available to employees.

Annual Leave

According to Section 91 of the EIRC 2015, all employees are entitled to a minimum of 30 working days of annual leave with full pay after a year of continuous service. Leave accrues throughout the year, and employees don't need to complete the full 12 months to be eligible for a portion of their leave entitlement.

Sick Leave

Under Section 93 of the EIRC 2015, employees who have worked for at least six months become eligible for up to 20 working days of paid sick leave per year. However, employees must provide a medical certificate signed by a medical practitioner to support their need for sick leave.

Compassionate Leave

Section 94 of the EIRC 2015 provides for three days of paid compassionate leave per year for employees with at least six months of service. This leave is granted in the event of death, serious illness, or injury within an employee's immediate family. Employees may be required to provide evidence to support the need for compassionate leave.

Maternity Leave

The Shop and Offices Employees Act (Cap 88) and the Maternity Benefits Regulations provide for maternity leave, although specific entitlements differ slightly depending on the sector. Female employees in shops or offices are entitled to at least 42 days of maternity leave (14 days before confinement, 28 days after). Women in other sectors may be covered by the Maternity Benefits Ordinance and Regulations. It's essential to consult the relevant legislation for specific entitlements.

Other Types of Leave

Some employers may offer study leave to support employees' professional development. Employees may also be able to negotiate unpaid leave with their employers under specific circumstances.

Important Considerations

Public holidays are not deducted from an employee's annual leave entitlement. Additionally, employers may have internal policies that offer leave provisions beyond the minimum requirements of Kiribati's labor laws.