In The Gambia, the Labor Act of 2007 is the governing law for vacation leave entitlements. Employees are eligible for paid vacation leave after they have completed at least one year of continuous service with the same employer. The amount of leave that accrues is dependent on the employment contract, any applicable Joint Industrial Council (JIC) agreements, or collective agreements.

Minimum Entitlement

The Labor Act stipulates that specific leave periods may vary across industries and contracts, but there is a minimum entitlement based on the employee's length of service:

• Employees who have completed 1-5 years of service are entitled to at least 14 working days of annual leave.
• Employees who have completed more than 5 years of service are entitled to at least 21 working days of annual leave.

Vacation Pay

During their annual leave period, employees are entitled to receive full pay, which is 100% of their normal wages.

Other Important Considerations

The Labor Act does not explicitly address the carry-over of unused vacation leave. However, many employers and contracts have provisions that allow for the carry-over of leave days within specific limits. The timing of annual leave should be determined in consultation between the employer and the employee to ensure proper operational coverage. If an employee's contract is terminated, they are entitled to compensation for any accrued but unused vacation leave.

The Gambia, a small West African country, observes a variety of public holidays throughout the year. These holidays are either fixed date holidays or variable date holidays, which are primarily Islamic observances.

Fixed Date Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1st): This day marks the beginning of a new calendar year.
• Independence Day (February 18th): This day celebrates The Gambia's independence from Great Britain in 1965.
• Good Friday: A Christian holiday observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
• Easter Monday: A Christian holiday celebrated the day after Easter Sunday.
• Labour Day (May 1st): Also known as International Workers' Day, this holiday honors the labor movement.
• Africa Liberation Day (May 25th): This day commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union).
• July 22nd Revolution Day: This day marks the 1994 bloodless coup led by Yahya Jammeh.
• Assumption Day (August 15th): A Christian holiday celebrating the bodily assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven.
• Christmas Day (December 25th): A Christian holiday marking the birth of Jesus Christ.

Variable Date Holidays (Islamic Observances)

Islamic holidays in The Gambia follow the lunar Hijri calendar and move approximately 11 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar. The exact dates can vary slightly depending on the moon sighting.

• Eid al-Fitr (Koriteh): This holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
• Eid al-Adha (Tobaski): Known as the "Feast of Sacrifice," this is a major Islamic holiday commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son.
• Mawlid al-Nabi: This day celebrates the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.

In The Gambia, the Labor Act of 2007 provides the framework for various leaves of absence for employees. These leave types include annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, and other types of leave such as casual leave and bereavement leave.

Annual Leave

Employees are entitled to paid annual leave after one year of continuous service. The minimum entitlement is at least 14 working days (after 1-5 years of service) or 21 working days (after more than 5 years of service), as outlined in the Labor Act of 2007.

Sick Leave

Employees become eligible for paid sick leave upon completing their probationary period. Sick leave entitlement is determined by the employment contract, any applicable Joint Industrial Council (JIC) agreements, or collective bargaining agreements. The Labor Act allows the use of paid sick leave for days when an employee cannot work due to illness or injury.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to a minimum of 12 weeks (84 calendar days) of paid maternity leave.

Paternity Leave

Male employees are eligible for 5 continuous working days of paternity leave if they have been employed for at least one year. While not explicitly addressed in The Labor Act, paternity leave is becoming a common provision in employment contracts and collective agreements.

Other Types of Leave

Some employment contracts or collective agreements may offer provision for casual leave, which can be used for short-term personal reasons or emergencies. While not stipulated by the Labor Act, some employers and contracts provide for compassionate leave in case of an immediate family member's death.

Important Notes

Specific entitlements may vary between sectors, employers, and according to employment contracts. It's always best to refer to individual contracts for the most detailed information. Employees are generally required to provide reasonable notice and supporting documents (like medical certificates) when applying for certain types of leave.