In Mali, vacation leave entitlements for employees are governed by the Labor Code (Law No. 92-020).

Annual Leave Entitlement

Employees are entitled to 30 calendar days of paid annual leave per year, which typically equates to about 22 working days of leave. This includes both working days and weekends.

Calculating Annual Leave Accrual

The accrual of leave entitlement is at a rate of 2.5 days for every month of work completed.

Probationary Periods and Leave Eligibility

Depending on the employer's policies and the terms of the employment contract, employees may be entitled to vacation leave even during their probationary period.

Part-Time Employees and Annual Leave

The Labor Code of Mali addresses part-time work, and part-time employees are generally entitled to a proportional amount of leave based on their hours worked.

Unused Vacation Leave

If an employee's contract is terminated before they have used their accrued leave, they are entitled to compensation for the unused vacation days.

Additional Leave with Seniority

Employees are entitled to additional annual leave based on their length of service. After 15 years of service, they receive 2 extra working days. After 20 years of service, they receive 4 extra working days. After 25 years of service, they receive 6 extra working days.

Important Considerations

Collective bargaining agreements may offer more favorable terms for vacation leave than the minimum standards in the Labor Code. Individual employers may also have specific policies regarding the scheduling and usage of annual leave.

In Mali, there are several national holidays celebrated throughout the year. These include:

• January 1: New Year's Day
• January 20: Armed Forces Day - This day celebrates the creation of the Malian military.
• March 26: Martyrs' Day - This day honors the victims of the 1991 protests that led to the fall of a dictatorship and the establishment of democracy.
• Easter Monday - This day is celebrated by the Christian community in Mali.
• May 1: Workers' Day/Labor Day - This is a global holiday celebrating workers.
• May 25: Africa Day - This day commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
• September 22: Independence Day - This day marks Mali's independence from France in 1960.
• December 25: Christmas Day - This day is celebrated by the Christian community in Mali.

Islamic Holidays

Mali is a predominantly Muslim country, and Islamic holidays on the lunar Hijri calendar are important celebrations. The dates can shift slightly each year. Important Islamic holidays in Mali include:

• Mawlid an-Nabi (The Prophet's Birthday) - This day commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
• Baptism of the Prophet - This holiday is unique to Mali.
• Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) - This day celebrates the end of the month of fasting.
• Eid al-Adha/Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice) - This day commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son.

Employees in Mali are entitled to various types of leave as per the Labor Code of Mali.

Annual Leave

Employees are entitled to 2.5 working days of leave per month, which equates to 30 calendar days of paid annual leave per year. This is often considered equivalent to 22 working days of leave annually. The leave accrues gradually throughout the year, and employers and employees may agree on scheduling leave to suit operational needs.

Sick Leave

When employees are on sick leave, they must provide a valid medical certificate to their employer. The duration of paid sick leave and specific rules are often outlined in company policies or collective bargaining agreements.

Maternity Leave

Female employees with at least nine months of service are entitled to 14 weeks of maternity leave. This can be extended by 3 weeks in the case of complications. Typically, 6 weeks of maternity leave are taken before the expected due date, and 8 weeks after childbirth. Maternity pay is typically covered by Mali's social security system.

Paternity Leave

Fathers are entitled to 7 days of fully paid paternity leave as per the Labor Code of Mali.

Compassionate Leave (Bereavement Leave)

Employees are entitled to 5 working days of fully paid compassionate leave per 12 months of service. Compassionate leave is granted in the event of specific family events, usually the death or serious illness of an immediate family member.

Other Types of Leave

Training Leave

Specific regulations may exist regarding leave taken for the purposes of professional training or development.

Leave for Union Activities

Regulations may also govern leave for employees engaging in trade union activities.

It's important to note that company policies and collective labor agreements may provide more generous leave entitlements than the minimums required by law. Employees should always refer to their employment contract, company handbook, and any relevant labor agreements for the most precise information about their leave entitlements.