Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements in Mauritania requires a clear understanding of the local labor code and standard practices. Employers must ensure compliance with statutory requirements regarding annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, and various forms of parental and special leave. Adhering to these regulations is crucial for maintaining legal compliance and fostering positive employee relations within the country.
Understanding the specific entitlements and procedures for each type of leave is essential for companies operating or employing individuals in Mauritania. This includes knowing how leave accrues, the duration of different leave types, requirements for documentation, and provisions for pay during leave periods.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Mauritania are entitled to paid annual leave after a period of service. The minimum entitlement increases with the length of service.
- Minimum Entitlement: Employees are generally entitled to a minimum of 1.5 working days of paid leave per month of service. This equates to 18 working days per year.
- Increased Entitlement: The minimum entitlement increases by 2 additional working days per year for every 5 years of service with the same employer, up to a maximum of 30 working days per year.
- Accrual: Leave accrues based on completed months of service.
- Timing: The timing of annual leave is typically determined by agreement between the employer and employee, taking into account the needs of the business and the employee's preferences.
- Carry-over: Specific rules may apply regarding the carry-over of unused leave days to subsequent years.
| Service Duration | Minimum Annual Leave Entitlement (Working Days) |
|---|---|
| Less than 5 years | 18 |
| 5 to 9 years | 20 |
| 10 to 14 years | 22 |
| 15 to 19 years | 24 |
| 20 to 24 years | 26 |
| 25 years or more | 30 |
Public Holidays
Mauritania observes several public holidays throughout the year. Employees are typically entitled to a paid day off on these holidays. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, the day off may be observed on the following working day, depending on specific regulations or company policy.
Here are the expected public holidays for 2025:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| May 1 | Labour Day |
| May 25 | Africa Day |
| November 28 | Independence Day |
| Variable | Eid al-Fitr |
| Variable | Eid al-Adha |
| Variable | Islamic New Year |
| Variable | Mawlid (Prophet's Birthday) |
Note: Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar and their exact dates vary each year.
Sick Leave Policies and Pay
Employees in Mauritania are entitled to sick leave in case of illness or injury.
- Entitlement: The duration of paid sick leave can vary based on the employee's length of service and the nature of the illness.
- Medical Certificate: Employees are generally required to provide a medical certificate from a qualified doctor to justify their absence due to illness, especially for absences exceeding a certain number of days (e.g., 48 hours).
- Pay: During sick leave, employees may be entitled to receive a portion or all of their regular salary, often for a limited period. The specific percentage and duration of paid sick leave can be determined by the labor code, collective agreements, or company policy, often linked to the employee's seniority.
- Extended Illness: For prolonged illnesses, provisions may exist for extended unpaid leave or access to social security benefits, subject to specific conditions and contributions.
Parental Leave
Mauritanian labor law provides entitlements for parental leave, primarily focusing on maternity leave.
- Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to maternity leave.
- Duration: The standard duration is 14 weeks, which can typically be taken starting 6 weeks before the expected date of confinement and ending 8 weeks after.
- Pay: During maternity leave, employees are generally entitled to receive benefits, often paid through social security, equivalent to a portion of their salary.
- Job Protection: An employee on maternity leave is protected against dismissal.
- Paternity Leave: While specific statutory paternity leave entitlements may be limited compared to maternity leave, some provisions or company policies may allow for a short period of leave for fathers around the time of childbirth.
- Adoption Leave: Specific statutory provisions for adoption leave may exist or be covered under general leave policies, though entitlements may differ from maternity leave.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond the primary categories, the Mauritanian labor code and common practice may recognize other types of leave.
- Bereavement Leave: Employees may be granted a short period of paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member. The duration (e.g., 2-3 days) and definition of "close family member" are often specified in the labor code or company policy.
- Study Leave: Employees may be granted leave for educational purposes, though this is often subject to employer discretion, company policy, or specific agreements, especially for training related to their job.
- Leave for Family Events: Short periods of leave may be granted for significant family events like marriage.
- Leave for National Service/Civic Duties: Employees may be entitled to leave to fulfill obligations such as military service or jury duty if applicable.
- Sabbatical Leave: Sabbatical leave is not typically a statutory entitlement but may be offered by employers as a benefit for long-serving employees, based on company policy.
