In Burkina Faso, the law stipulates that employees have the right to 2.5 calendar days of paid annual leave for each month of effective service. This equates to roughly 30 calendar days, or about 22 working days, of paid leave annually.

Eligibility and Calculation

The eligibility for annual leave typically kicks in after an employee has completed one year of continuous service with the same employer. If an employee has only worked part of a year, their leave entitlement is calculated on a proportional basis. The accumulation of leave occurs throughout the service year.

Additional Notes on Leave Entitlements

It's worth noting that collective agreements or individual employment contracts may contain provisions for leave that are more favorable. Certain types of absence, such as those related to work injuries, maternity leave, or military service, generally do not result in a reduction of accrued annual leave. Employees are encouraged to use their accrued vacation leave, but some carryover may be permitted depending on the policies or agreements of the company.

Burkina Faso celebrates a variety of secular, religious (both Christian and Muslim), and historical holidays throughout the year.

Secular Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1st): This day marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year.
• Anniversary of the 1966 Coup d'État (January 3rd): This day commemorates the overthrow of the first president of independent Upper Volta, the former name of Burkina Faso.
• International Women's Day (March 8th): This day celebrates the social, economic, political, and cultural achievements of women worldwide.
• Labor Day (May 1st): This day honors workers' contributions to society.
• Revolution Day (August 4th): This day marks the anniversary of the 1983 revolution that brought Thomas Sankara to power.
• Independence Day (August 5th): This day commemorates Burkina Faso's independence from France in 1960.
• Proclamation of the Republic (December 11th): This day celebrates the 1958 proclamation of the Republic of Upper Volta as a self-governing member of the French Community.

Christian Holidays

• Easter Monday: This is the day following Easter Sunday, celebrated by Christians.
• Ascension Day: This day celebrates Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven.
• Assumption Day (August 15th): This day commemorates the Virgin Mary's bodily assumption into heaven.
• All Saint's Day (November 1st): This day honors saints and martyrs within the Christian faith.
• Christmas Day (December 25th): This day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Muslim Holidays

• Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan): This day marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The exact date varies depending on the lunar calendar.
• Eid al-Adha/ Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice): This day commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The exact date varies depending on the lunar calendar.
• Mawlid an-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad): This day celebrates the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. The exact date varies depending on the lunar calendar.

In Burkina Faso, labor laws provide various leave provisions for employees, governed primarily by the Labor Code of Burkina Faso.

Annual Leave

Employees become eligible for 22 working days of paid annual leave after completing one year of continuous service. Leave accrues over time and cannot be taken all at once at the beginning of an employment period. Employers and employees should mutually agree upon vacation timing, considering the company's operational needs.

Sick Leave

The amount of paid sick leave depends on the employee's length of service:

• Less than 1 year of service: 2 months (1 month full pay, 1 month half pay)
• 1-5 years of service: 4 months (2 months full pay, 2 months half pay)
• 6-10 years of service: 5 months (2 months full pay, 3 months half pay)
• 11-15 years of service: 6 months (3 months full pay, 3 months half pay)

Generally, a medical certificate is required to substantiate sick leave.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to 14 weeks of fully paid maternity leave (typically 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after childbirth). This is available to women who have worked for the employer for at least three months. It can be extended for an additional three weeks in case of health complications.

Paternity Leave

Fathers are entitled to 3 days of paid paternity leave following their child's birth.

Other Types of Leave

• Bereavement Leave: Employees may be granted a short leave period in the event of the death of a close family member.
• Leave for Family Events: Employees may be allowed time off for significant family events, such as marriages, births, or other important ceremonies.
• Unpaid Leave: In some circumstances, employees may negotiate unpaid leave with their employers.