In Tanzania, employees who have been in continuous service with the same employer for six months are entitled to a minimum of 28 consecutive days of paid vacation leave annually.

Continuous Service

The entitlement to leave is contingent on uninterrupted employment with the same employer.

Unused Leave

There can be an agreement between employees and employers regarding the carry-over of unused leave. Alternatively, financial compensation for unused leave can be provided upon termination, as per the provisions of the Act.

Scheduling

The scheduling of vacation leave is often a joint decision between employers and employees. Employees have the right to take at least seven consecutive leave days at a time.

Tanzania celebrates a variety of national and religious holidays throughout the year.

National Holidays

Tanzania's national holidays include:

• New Year's Day on January 1st
• Zanzibar Revolutionary Day on January 12th
• Karume Day on April 7th, which commemorates Abeid Amani Karume, the first president of Zanzibar
• Union Day on April 26th, which celebrates the unification of Tanganyika and Zanzibar
• Labour Day on May 1st
• Saba Saba Day (Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair Day) on July 7th
• Nane Nane (Farmers' Day) on August 8th
• Independence and Republic Day on December 9th
• Christmas Day on December 25th
• Boxing Day on December 26th

Religious Holidays

Tanzania also observes both Muslim and Christian holidays, the dates of which vary based on lunar and religious calendars. These include:

• Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting
• Eid al-Adha, the "Feast of Sacrifice", a significant Islamic holiday
• Maulid an-Nabi, which celebrates the Prophet Muhammad's birthday
• Good Friday, the date of which varies based on the Christian calendar
• Easter Sunday, the date of which varies based on the Christian calendar

The specific dates for religious holidays in Tanzania change annually based on the respective religious calendars, so it's always a good idea to double-check them.

In Tanzania, employees are entitled to various types of leave, each with its own set of rules and regulations.

Annual Leave

After completing 6 months of continuous service, employees are entitled to at least 28 consecutive days of paid annual leave per year. This is in accordance with the Employment and Labour Relations Act, 2004, Part VII, Sections 29-32.

Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to paid sick leave after completing six months of continuous service, provided they have a medical certificate. The duration of the sick leave can vary depending on the length of service. This is as per the Employment and Labour Relations Act, 2004, Part VII, Section 33.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to 84 days of paid maternity leave for each confinement, which is approximately 12 weeks. Employers are obligated to pay for the first 6 weeks, with an optional additional 6 weeks based on company policy or agreements. This is stated in the Employment and Labour Relations Act, 2004, Part VIII, Section 39.

Paternity Leave

Male employees are entitled to 3 days of paid paternity leave following the birth of their child. This is also in accordance with the Employment and Labour Relations Act, 2004.

Other Notable Leave Types

There are other types of leave that employees may be entitled to. These include Bereavement Leave, where employees may be entitled to a short period of paid leave in the event of a death in their immediate family, and Compassionate Leave, which may be granted under certain circumstances, often at the company's discretion.

Important Considerations

Employers may offer more generous leave provisions beyond the legal requirements outlined in their policies. Additionally, additional leave regulations may exist for particular sectors within Tanzania.