Understanding leave entitlements is crucial for businesses operating in the Maldives. The Maldives Labour Act outlines the minimum leave requirements for employees, ensuring a balance between work and personal life. Employers must comply with these regulations to maintain fair labor practices and attract and retain talent. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of vacation, holiday, sick, parental, and other leave policies in the Maldives for 2025, offering clarity for both employers and employees.
Annual Vacation Leave
The Maldives Labour Act guarantees employees a minimum amount of paid annual leave. Employees are entitled to annual leave after completing 12 months of continuous service with the same employer.
- Minimum Entitlement: Generally, employees are entitled to a minimum of 30 days of paid annual leave per year.
- Accrual: Leave is typically accrued on a monthly basis.
- Usage: Employers and employees can agree on when the leave can be taken.
- Payment: Employees must be paid their regular salary during periods of annual leave.
- Carry Forward: The ability to carry forward unused leave days may be subject to company policy and mutual agreement.
- Termination: Upon termination of employment, employees are entitled to payment for any accrued but unused annual leave.
Public Holidays
The Maldives observes several public holidays each year, providing employees with paid time off. The specific dates may vary slightly from year to year based on lunar cycles and government announcements. Here's a list of common public holidays in the Maldives:
| Holiday Name | Approximate Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Start of Ramadan | Varies (Lunar Calendar) |
| Eid-al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) | Varies (Lunar Calendar) |
| Labour Day | May 1 |
| Hajj Day | Varies (Lunar Calendar) |
| Eid-al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) | Varies (Lunar Calendar) |
| Islamic New Year | Varies (Lunar Calendar) |
| National Day | Varies (Based on History) |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | Varies (Lunar Calendar) |
| Victory Day | November 3 |
| Republic Day | November 11 |
| Fisherman's Day | December 10 |
Sick Leave
Employees in the Maldives are entitled to paid sick leave to recover from illness or injury.
- Entitlement: Employees are generally entitled to a certain number of paid sick days per year, often around 30 days.
- Pay: During sick leave, employees typically receive their regular salary.
- Medical Certificate: Employers may require a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner to validate sick leave, especially for absences exceeding a certain number of days (e.g., 3 consecutive days).
- Unused Sick Leave: Policies regarding the carryover or payout of unused sick leave may vary depending on the employer.
Parental Leave
The Maldives Labour Act provides for both maternity and paternity leave to support new parents.
Maternity Leave
- Entitlement: Female employees are entitled to a period of paid maternity leave.
- Duration: Typically, maternity leave is around 60 days.
- Pay: Employees usually receive their regular salary during maternity leave.
- Eligibility: To be eligible, employees may need to have completed a certain period of service with the employer.
Paternity Leave
- Entitlement: Male employees are entitled to a period of paid paternity leave following the birth of their child.
- Duration: Paternity leave is generally shorter than maternity leave, often around 3-7 days.
- Pay: Employees usually receive their regular salary during paternity leave.
Adoption Leave
The Maldives Labour Act may also provide for adoption leave, though specific details can vary. It's advisable to check the latest regulations for the most accurate information.
Other Types of Leave
Besides annual, sick, and parental leave, employees may be eligible for other types of leave, depending on company policy and specific circumstances.
- Bereavement Leave: Provided in the event of the death of a close family member. The duration may vary.
- Study Leave: Some employers may offer study leave for employees pursuing further education or professional development.
- Sabbatical Leave: Longer periods of leave for personal or professional development may be available at the employer's discretion.
- Religious Leave: Leave may be granted for religious observances beyond the standard public holidays.
