Annual leave entitlement is dependent on the number of working days in a week. For instance, a 6-day work week warrants a minimum of 18 working days of annual leave, while a 5-day work week warrants 15 working days of annual leave.

The leave must be utilized within 6 months of the end of the entitlement period. However, there is room for employers and employees to mutually agree to defer and accumulate leave.

Although the law does not explicitly mandate a "leave grant" (a financial allowance for vacation time), it is a common practice for employers to provide some form of monetary compensation during an employee's annual leave.

From the onset of an employee's employment, annual leave begins to accrue. In the event of employment termination, an employee is entitled to be paid for any accrued, unused vacation time.

Accrual of Leave

From the commencement of an employee's employment, annual leave starts to accrue.

Termination of Employment

In case of employment termination, an employee is entitled to payment for any accrued, unused vacation time.

Important Notes

The Employment Act stipulates the minimum legal entitlements. However, employers have the liberty to offer more generous vacation policies. It's important to note that annual leave cannot run concurrently with sick leave or periods covered by notice of termination.

Malawi celebrates a variety of national, historical, and religious holidays.

National Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1st): This day marks the start of the calendar year.
• John Chilembwe Day (January 15th): This day is in honor of Reverend John Chilembwe, who led a revolt against British colonial rule.
• Martyrs Day (March 3rd): This day is dedicated to those who sacrificed their lives in the fight for independence.
• Kamuzu Day (May 14th): This day celebrates the life and contributions of Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the first president of Malawi.
• Independence Day (July 6th): This day commemorates Malawi's independence from Britain in 1964.
• Mother's Day (Second Monday of October): This day is dedicated to mothers and their significant contributions to society.
• Christmas Day (December 25th): This day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Boxing Day (December 26th): Traditionally, this day is for giving gifts to service workers.

Religious Holidays

• Good Friday: This is the Friday before Easter Sunday, which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
• Easter Monday: This is the Monday after Easter Sunday, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Eid al-Fitr: This day marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. The exact date varies according to the lunar calendar.

If a public holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday is usually declared a holiday. For an up-to-date list of Malawi's public holidays, refer to reputable government websites or trusted travel resources.

In Malawi, employees are entitled to different types of leave.

Annual Leave

Employees are legally entitled to a minimum annual leave period of 18 working days if they work six days a week and 15 working days if they work five days a week. Annual leave must be taken within six months of the entitlement period. However, deferment and accumulation can occur with mutual agreement between the employee and employer.

Sick Leave

After 12 months of continuous service, employees are entitled to four weeks of sick leave on full pay and eight weeks of sick leave on half pay. Employers may require a medical certificate from a registered practitioner to substantiate sick leave requests.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to 8 weeks of paid maternity leave every three years. The employer may grant additional leave at their discretion if the employee or child experiences illness certified by a medical practitioner.

Other Types of Leave

While not specifically mandated by law, many employers in Malawi offer a short period of paid bereavement leave in the event of the death of an employee's close family member. Some employers may also offer study leave (paid or unpaid) to support employee development, although this is not a legal requirement.