Understanding employee leave entitlements is crucial for compliant operations in Mozambique. The country's labor law outlines various types of leave that employers must provide, ensuring employees have time off for rest, illness, family matters, and national observances. These provisions aim to balance employee well-being with business needs, establishing clear guidelines for both employers and workers regarding time away from work.
Navigating these regulations requires attention to detail, from calculating annual leave accrual to understanding specific requirements for sick leave documentation or parental leave eligibility. Employers operating in Mozambique, whether with local or remote staff, must adhere to these legal minimums to ensure fair treatment of employees and maintain compliance with national labor standards.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Mozambique are entitled to paid annual leave. The minimum entitlement increases with the length of service.
- Minimum Entitlement:
- During the first year of employment: One day of leave for every month of service, up to a maximum of 10 days.
- After one full year of service: 22 working days per year.
- After five years of service: 30 working days per year.
- Accrual: Leave is typically accrued based on the length of service.
- Timing: Annual leave should generally be taken within the calendar year it is accrued or in the first quarter of the following year, subject to agreement between the employer and employee.
- Carry-over: Limited carry-over of leave may be permitted under specific conditions or by agreement.
- Payment: Employees are entitled to their normal remuneration during annual leave.
Public Holidays
Mozambique observes several public holidays throughout the year. Employees are generally entitled to a paid day off on these dates. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to increased compensation, often at a premium rate.
Here are the standard public holidays observed in Mozambique:
| Date | Holiday Name |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| February 3 | Mozambican Heroes' Day |
| April 7 | Mozambican Women's Day |
| May 1 | International Workers' Day |
| June 25 | Independence Day |
| September 7 | Victory Day |
| September 25 | Armed Forces Day |
| October 4 | Day of Peace and Reconciliation |
| December 25 | Christmas Day / Family Day |
Note: Specific dates for some holidays may vary slightly if they are moved to create a long weekend, but the list above represents the core public holidays.
Sick Leave
Employees in Mozambique are entitled to paid sick leave when they are unable to work due to illness or injury.
- Entitlement: Employees are entitled to up to 15 days of paid sick leave per year.
- Medical Certificate: For sick leave exceeding one day, employees are generally required to provide a medical certificate from a registered health professional.
- Extended Illness: For illnesses or injuries requiring absence longer than 15 days, the situation may be subject to social security benefits or specific provisions in the labor law regarding prolonged incapacity.
- Payment: During the 15 days of paid sick leave, the employee receives their normal salary.
Parental Leave
Mozambican law provides for parental leave, primarily maternity leave, with provisions for paternity and potentially adoption leave.
- Maternity Leave:
- Duration: Pregnant employees are entitled to 60 days of paid maternity leave.
- Timing: This leave can be taken before and after childbirth, typically starting four weeks before the expected delivery date, with the remaining days taken after the birth.
- Payment: Maternity leave is paid, often through the social security system, though the specific payment mechanism and rate should be confirmed.
- Paternity Leave:
- Duration: Fathers are entitled to a short period of paid leave upon the birth of a child. The standard entitlement is typically 1 day.
- Adoption Leave: Provisions for adoption leave may exist, often mirroring maternity leave entitlements, but specific details should be verified based on current legislation.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond the main categories, Mozambican labor law recognizes other specific circumstances requiring employee leave.
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically entitled to a short period of paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member (e.g., spouse, parent, child, sibling). The duration is usually limited, often around 2-3 days.
- Study Leave: Employees may be granted leave for educational purposes, though the terms and conditions for study leave are often subject to agreement between the employer and employee or governed by specific collective bargaining agreements, rather than a universal statutory minimum.
- Marriage Leave: Some collective agreements or company policies may grant a few days of paid leave for an employee's marriage, although this is not a standard statutory entitlement for all employees.
- Other Absences: The law may also cover absences for reasons such as fulfilling civic duties (e.g., jury duty, voting) or attending to urgent, unavoidable family matters, often requiring justification.
