Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements in Yemen requires a clear understanding of the country's labor laws. Employers operating in Yemen, whether through a local entity or by employing remote workers, must comply with these regulations to ensure fair treatment of employees and avoid potential legal issues. These policies cover various types of leave, including annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave, each with specific requirements regarding duration and compensation.
Compliance with Yemeni labor law is essential for maintaining a productive and legally sound workforce. Understanding the nuances of each leave type helps employers accurately calculate entitlements, manage employee absences effectively, and foster positive employee relations. This guide provides an overview of the key leave policies applicable in Yemen, offering clarity for businesses navigating the local employment landscape.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Yemen are entitled to paid annual leave based on their length of service. The minimum entitlement increases with seniority.
- Employees are generally entitled to 21 days of paid annual leave after completing one year of service.
- This entitlement increases to 30 days per year after the employee has completed 10 years of continuous service with the same employer.
- Leave must typically be taken within the year it is accrued, although specific arrangements for carrying over leave may be possible under certain conditions or collective agreements.
- The timing of annual leave is usually determined by the employer, taking into account the needs of the business and the employee's request.
Public Holidays
Yemen observes several public holidays throughout the year, during which employees are typically entitled to a paid day off. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, the following working day may be granted as a holiday, though specific rules can apply. The exact dates for some holidays, particularly those based on the Islamic calendar, vary each year.
Here are the expected public holidays for 2025:
| Holiday | Date (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) | Early April |
| Labour Day | May 1 |
| Unity Day | May 22 |
| Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) | Early June |
| Islamic New Year | Late June |
| Revolution Day (September 26) | September 26 |
| Revolution Day (October 14) | October 14 |
| Independence Day | November 30 |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | Mid-September |
Note: Dates for Islamic holidays are approximate and depend on moon sighting.
Sick Leave
Employees in Yemen are entitled to paid sick leave in case of illness or injury, provided they present a medical certificate from a recognized health institution.
- Employees are entitled to 30 days of full-paid sick leave per year.
- Following the initial 30 days, employees may be entitled to an additional 60 days of sick leave at 75% of their regular pay.
- Further sick leave beyond these periods may be unpaid or subject to specific conditions outlined in employment contracts or collective agreements.
- The total duration of sick leave, whether paid or unpaid, should generally not exceed 90 days within a single year.
Parental Leave
Yemeni labor law provides entitlements for maternity leave. While specific provisions for paternity or adoption leave may not be explicitly detailed in the primary labor law, these can sometimes be covered by internal company policies or collective agreements.
Maternity Leave
- Female employees are entitled to 70 days of paid maternity leave.
- This leave can be taken before and after childbirth.
- The employee is entitled to receive full pay during maternity leave.
- Upon returning to work after maternity leave, the employee is entitled to a nursing break of one hour per day for a period of one year.
Paternity and Adoption Leave
- Specific statutory entitlements for paternity or adoption leave are not as clearly defined as maternity leave in the primary labor law.
- Some employers may offer short periods of paid or unpaid leave for fathers or adoptive parents based on company policy or individual negotiation.
Other Leave Types
Beyond the main categories, Yemeni labor law or common practice may recognize other types of leave, though specific entitlements can vary.
- 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 is typically a few days.
- Study Leave: In some cases, employees may be granted leave for study or training purposes, often without pay, depending on the employer's policy and the relevance of the study to the employee's job.
- Leave for Hajj: Muslim employees may be entitled to unpaid leave to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, typically once during their employment.
- Leave for Marriage: Employees may be granted a short period of paid leave for their own marriage.
