In the Maldives, the guidelines for vacation leave entitlements are outlined by the Employment Act (Law No. 2/2008).

Annual Leave Entitlement

Upon completing one year of continuous employment, employees are entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave.

Accumulation and Carry-Over

The Employment Act stipulates that vacation leave cannot be accumulated and carried over to the following year. It must be taken within 12 months of becoming eligible.

Unused Vacation Before Termination

In the event of employment termination, employers are required by the Employment Act to settle any unused vacation leave entitlements. This process is also known as encashment of leave.

Calculating Annual Leave During Probation

Probationary periods are not considered when calculating eligibility for annual leave.

Part-time Employees

While the Employment Act does not provide specific provisions for part-time employees, it's generally recommended for employers to adopt a pro-rated approach to leave calculations for these workers.

Employment Agreements

Employment agreements may offer vacation leave terms that are more favorable than the minimum standards set by the Employment Act.

Collective Bargaining Agreements

Where applicable, collective bargaining agreements may enhance employees' annual leave entitlements.

The Maldives observes a mix of national and religious holidays throughout the year.

National Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1st): Marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year.
• Independence Day (July 26th & 27th): Commemorates the Maldives' independence from the British Protectorate in 1965.
• Victory Day (November 3rd): Celebrates the victory over the attempted coup in 1988.
• Republic Day (November 11th): Marks the establishment of the second republic in 1968.

Religious Holidays

The Maldives is an Islamic country, and religious holidays are determined by the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, which is lunar-based. Therefore, the dates of these holidays shift slightly each year according to the Gregorian calendar.

• Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan): Marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Festivities often last for several days.
• Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): Commemorates Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son. It involves prayers, animal sacrifice, and feasts.
• Islamic New Year (Muharram): Marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
• National Day (Rabi' al-awwal 1st): Celebrates the victory over the Portuguese in 1573.
• Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Mawlid): Celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

Please note that the exact dates of religious holidays may vary slightly based on moon sightings and official announcements.

In the Maldives, the Employment Act (Law No. 2/2008) and other labor regulations provide a framework for various types of leave that employees are entitled to.

Annual Leave

Employees are entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave after one year of continuous service. This leave accrues at a rate of 2.5 days per month.

Sick Leave

Employees can take up to 30 days of paid sick leave per year. Additionally, they may also take up to 10 days off to care for a sick family member. Employers can request a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner for absences exceeding two consecutive days.

Maternity Leave

Women are entitled to 60 days of paid maternity leave. It's recommended that at least 30 days be taken before the expected due date.

Paternity Leave

Men are entitled to 3 days of paid paternity leave.

Other Types of Leave

Muslim employees may be entitled to unpaid leave for performing Hajj. The specifics are often determined by company policy or mutual agreement. While not specifically addressed in the Employment Act, many employers offer bereavement or compassionate leave on a case-by-case basis. Provisions for study leave may be included in employment contracts or collective agreements.

Important Considerations

Employers may offer more generous leave entitlements than the minimum stipulated by law. They are also obligated to maintain accurate records of employee leave under the Employment Act.