In Cabo Verde, employees who meet certain eligibility criteria are entitled to paid vacation leave, also known as annual leave, as per the labor laws. The Labor Code of Cabo Verde outlines these entitlements.

Key Provisions

• Entitlement: Article 247 of the Labor Code states that workers are generally entitled to 22 working days of paid leave for each full year of service. However, exceptions may apply depending on the specifics of the employment agreement.

• Accrual: Vacation leave accrues throughout the year and cannot be taken in advance.

• Eligibility: Employees become eligible for vacation leave upon completing their probationary period or upon reaching a specified period of service defined in their employment contract.

• Scheduling: The timing of vacations is determined by agreement between the employer and the employee, considering the company's needs and the employee's preferences. The Labor Code (Articles 248 & 254) places some restrictions on the length of time that an employer can require an employee to work consecutively without vacation.

• Unused Leave: As per the Labor Code (Article 253), unused vacation leave may be carried over to the following year within certain limits.

Important Considerations

• Collective Agreements: Collective bargaining agreements may provide for more generous vacation leave entitlements than the minimum requirements set forth in the Labor Code.

• Record Keeping: Employers are required to maintain accurate records of employees' vacation leave accrival and usage.

Cabo Verde, an island nation off the coast of West Africa, celebrates a variety of public holidays throughout the year. These holidays are a blend of secular, religious, and historical observances that reflect the country's rich cultural heritage.

Secular Holidays

Cabo Verde's secular holidays include:

• New Year's Day on January 1st, which marks the start of the Gregorian calendar year.
• National Heroes Day on January 20th, in honor of Amílcar Cabral, a key figure in the country's struggle for independence from Portugal.
• Democracy and Freedom Day on January 13th, celebrating the first multiparty elections held in 1991.
• Carnival, a vibrant festival with parades and celebrations, held in February or March. The exact dates change annually based on the liturgical calendar.
• Women's Day on March 8th, which celebrates the social, economic, political, and cultural achievements of women.
• Labor Day on May 1st, honoring the contributions of workers.
• Children's Day on June 1st, focusing on the well-being and rights of children.
• Independence Day on July 5th, marking the anniversary of Cabo Verde's independence from Portugal in 1975.
• Nationality Day on September 12th, commemorating the birth of Amílcar Cabral.
• Christmas Day on December 25th, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Religious Holidays

Religious holidays in Cabo Verde include:

• Ash Wednesday in February or March, marking the beginning of Lent. The exact dates change annually.
• Good Friday in March or April, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The exact dates change annually.
• Easter Sunday in March or April, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The exact dates change annually.
• Assumption Day on August 15th, commemorating the Virgin Mary's bodily assumption into heaven.
• All Saints' Day on November 1st, honoring saints and martyrs within the Christian faith.

In Cabo Verde, the labor laws provide for various types of leave for employees, governed primarily by the Labor Code of Cabo Verde.

Annual Leave

Employees are generally entitled to 22 working days of paid annual leave for each full year of service. There are some exceptions to this general rule depending on the nature of the employment agreement. Employees become eligible after completing their probationary period or upon reaching a specified period of service defined in their employment contract. Leave accrues throughout the year and cannot be taken in advance. The timing of vacations is typically determined by agreement between the employer and the employee.

Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to a maximum of 30 days of paid sick leave per year after completing three months of service, subject to the presentation of a valid medical certificate. If illness persists beyond 30 days, an additional absence period may be authorized upon evaluation by the National Health Board.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to 60 consecutive days of fully paid maternity leave. Women must contribute to the social security system to access maternity benefits.

Paternity Leave

Fathers are entitled to 5 consecutive working days of paid paternity leave upon the birth of their child.

Other Types of Leave

Employees are entitled to justified absence in the event of the death of a close family member, typically up to a maximum of 8 days. Employees may be granted leave for significant family events (marriages, births, etc.), often based on employer discretion or collective agreements. In some circumstances, employees may negotiate unpaid leave with their employers, subject to mutual agreement.