In Rwanda, labor laws stipulate that employees are entitled to paid annual leave for rest and recuperation. After completing one year of continuous service with the same employer, every employee is entitled to a minimum of 18 working days of paid annual leave. For every three years of continuous service with the same employer, employees gain an additional day of leave. However, the maximum annual leave entitlement is capped at 21 working days.

Special Provisions

For employees under the age of 18, they are entitled to 2 working days of leave for each month of continuous service. During their vacation leave, employees receive an allowance equivalent to their average salary (including bonuses and benefits) for the 12 months preceding their leave. This payment is made before the commencement of the leave period.

Scheduling and Limitations

Employees are generally expected to take their annual leave within two years of becoming entitled to it. An employer has the right to postpone an employee's leave period by up to three months. It is prohibited to take payment in lieu of vacation leave, except in cases where the contract is terminated before the employee has taken their entitled leave.

Rwanda observes a mix of national, religious, and commemorative holidays throughout the year. The officially recognized public holidays are as follows:

National Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1st): Marks the start of the new year.
• National Heroes Day (February 1st): Honors Rwandans who have demonstrated heroism and sacrifice for their country.
• Genocide Against the Tutsi Memorial Day (April 7th): A solemn day of remembrance for the victims of the 1994 genocide.
• Independence Day (July 1st): Celebrates Rwanda's independence from Belgium in 1962.
• Liberation Day (July 4th): Marks the end of the 1994 genocide and the victory of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).
• Umuganura Day (First Friday of August): A traditional harvest festival and day of thanksgiving.
• Assumption Day (August 15th): A Christian holiday commemorating the ascent of the Virgin Mary into heaven.
• Christmas Day (December 25th): Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Boxing Day (December 26th): Observed the day after Christmas.

Religious Holidays with Variable Dates

• Eid al-Fitr: Marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The specific date is determined by the lunar calendar.
• Eid al-Adha: The Feast of Sacrifice, an important Muslim holiday. The specific date varies annually according to the lunar calendar.

These public holidays are non-working days in Rwanda, providing time for rest, celebration, and observance.

Important Notes

• The Rwandan government occasionally announces additional non-working days throughout the year.
• The dates for religious holidays with variable dates are determined annually based on religious calendars.

In Rwanda, labor laws provide employees with various forms of leave to cater to personal needs, health situations, and family responsibilities. These are defined by the Rwandan Labour Law [Law N° 66/2018 of 30/08/2018 Regulating Labour in Rwanda].

Mandatory Leave

• Annual Leave: Employees are entitled to at least 18 working days of paid annual leave for every year of continuous service with an employer. Employees under the age of 18 are entitled to 24 working days of annual leave. Leave entitlement can increase based on years of service, but cannot exceed 21 working days.

• Sick Leave: Employees have the right to paid sick leave upon providing a medical certificate. Duration and payment terms are determined by the Social Security Board of Rwanda (RSSB) based on the severity of the illness.

• Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to 12 consecutive weeks of fully paid maternity leave. This includes 6 weeks before the expected due date and 6 weeks after childbirth.

• Paternity Leave: Male employees are granted 3 working days of paid paternity leave upon the birth of a child.

• Circumstantial Leave: Employees are entitled to paid leave for specific life events, such as their wedding, the birth of a child, or the death of a family member. The duration of this leave varies depending on the circumstance.

Additional Leave Options

• Bereavement Leave: In the case of the death of a close relative, employees have the right to bereavement leave. The duration and terms are generally specified in company policies or employment agreements.

• Unpaid Leave: While not explicitly guaranteed by law, employers and employees may negotiate unpaid leave beyond the mandatory leave categories.

Important Considerations

• Employers are obligated to create an annual leave schedule in agreement with employees.

• Specific details and provisions regarding leave entitlements may vary based on employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements, and industry regulations.