Understanding leave entitlements is crucial for businesses operating in Turkmenistan. Turkmen labor law establishes various types of leave to support employees' well-being and work-life balance. These include annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave, each with specific regulations regarding eligibility, duration, and compensation. Employers need to be aware of these requirements to ensure compliance and maintain positive employee relations.
Navigating the complexities of Turkmenistan's leave policies can be challenging for international businesses. This guide provides a detailed overview of the key aspects of vacation and leave entitlements in Turkmenistan as of 2025, offering practical insights for employers seeking to manage their workforce effectively.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Turkmenistan are legally entitled to annual vacation leave. The minimum duration of annual leave is 30 calendar days. Certain categories of employees, such as those working in hazardous conditions or with long service records, may be entitled to additional vacation days as stipulated by collective agreements or employment contracts.
- Minimum Entitlement: 30 calendar days
- Eligibility: All employees are eligible after a qualifying period of employment, typically six months.
- Carryover: Unused vacation days may be carried over to the following year under certain circumstances, but this is subject to agreement between the employer and employee.
- Compensation: Employees must receive their average salary for the duration of their annual leave. Payment should be made no later than three days before the start of the leave.
Public Holidays
Turkmenistan observes several public holidays each year. These holidays are non-working days, and employees are generally entitled to a day off with pay. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, it is typically observed on the following Monday.
| Holiday Name | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| International Women's Day | March 8 |
| Nowruz Bayram (Spring Festival) | March 21-22 |
| Victory Day | May 9 |
| Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) | Varies |
| Kurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha) | Varies |
| Day of Remembrance | October 6 |
| Independence Day | September 27 |
| International Neutrality Day | December 12 |
Note: Dates for Islamic holidays (Eid al-Fitr and Kurban Bayram) are determined by the lunar calendar and may vary each year.
Sick Leave
Employees in Turkmenistan are entitled to sick leave if they are unable to work due to illness or injury.
- Eligibility: All employees are eligible for sick leave from their first day of employment.
- Duration: The duration of sick leave is determined by a medical certificate issued by a healthcare provider. There is no statutory limit on the amount of sick leave an employee can take, provided it is medically certified.
- Compensation: Sick leave is typically paid by the Social Insurance Fund. The amount of compensation depends on the employee's length of service and contribution history. Generally, it ranges from 60% to 100% of the employee's average earnings.
Parental Leave
Turkmenistan provides for maternity leave, paternity leave, and adoption leave to support parents.
Maternity Leave
- Duration: Pregnant employees are entitled to 70 calendar days of prenatal leave and 56 calendar days of postnatal leave (70 days in the case of a complicated birth or the birth of two or more children).
- Eligibility: All female employees are eligible for maternity leave.
- Compensation: Maternity leave is paid by the Social Insurance Fund. The amount of compensation is typically 100% of the employee's average earnings.
Paternity Leave
- Entitlement: While there is no statutory paternity leave in Turkmenistan, fathers are entitled to unpaid leave to care for a newborn child.
- Duration: The duration of unpaid paternity leave is typically determined by agreement between the employer and employee.
Adoption Leave
- Entitlement: Employees who adopt a child are entitled to leave similar to maternity leave.
- Duration: The duration of adoption leave is typically the same as postnatal maternity leave (56 or 70 days, depending on the circumstances).
- Compensation: Adoption leave is paid by the Social Insurance Fund, similar to maternity leave.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave, employees in Turkmenistan may be entitled to other types of leave, depending on their employment contract or collective agreement.
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically granted a few days of paid or unpaid leave in the event of the death of a close family member.
- Study Leave: Employees who are pursuing further education may be entitled to study leave to attend classes or take exams. The terms of study leave, including whether it is paid or unpaid, are usually determined by agreement between the employer and employee.
- Sabbatical Leave: Sabbatical leave is not legally mandated in Turkmenistan, but employers may offer it as a benefit to long-serving employees. The terms of sabbatical leave, including duration and compensation, are determined by the employer.
