Managing employee leave entitlements in Timor-Leste requires a clear understanding of the country's labor laws. These regulations define the minimum rights of employees regarding time off, including annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and various forms of parental and special leave. Adhering to these requirements is crucial for compliance and maintaining positive employee relations within the Timorese workforce.
Employers operating in Timor-Leste must ensure their internal policies meet or exceed the statutory minimums for all types of leave. This involves tracking employee service periods to calculate accrued leave, observing official public holidays, and implementing procedures for managing sick leave and family-related absences in accordance with the law.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Timor-Leste are entitled to annual vacation leave based on their length of service. The minimum entitlement is typically one day of paid leave for each month of effective service. This accrues over the year, resulting in a minimum of 12 days of paid annual leave per year for employees who have completed a full year of service.
Leave is generally taken after completing 12 months of service, though agreements can be made for leave to be taken earlier. The timing of leave is usually determined by agreement between the employer and employee, taking into account the operational needs of the business. Unused leave may be carried over to the following year, often with limitations on the amount that can be carried forward or the period within which it must be used.
Public Holidays
Timor-Leste observes a number of national public holidays throughout the year. Employees are generally entitled to a paid day off on these dates. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to premium pay, often at a rate of double their normal wage. The specific dates for some holidays, particularly religious ones, may vary slightly each year.
Here is a list of common public holidays observed in Timor-Leste:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| Variable | Good Friday |
| Variable | Easter Sunday |
| May 1 | International Workers' Day |
| May 20 | Restoration of Independence |
| Variable | Corpus Christi |
| August 30 | Popular Consultation Day |
| November 1 | All Saints' Day |
| November 12 | National Youth Day |
| November 28 | Proclamation of Independence |
| December 8 | Immaculate Conception |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
| Variable | Eid al-Fitr |
| Variable | Eid al-Adha |
Note: Variable dates apply to holidays based on the lunar calendar or other factors, and exact dates for 2025 should be confirmed closer to the year.
Sick Leave
Employees in Timor-Leste are entitled to paid sick leave when they are unable to work due to illness or injury. The specific entitlement and duration of paid sick leave can vary, but labor laws typically provide for a certain number of days per year. To qualify for sick leave, employees are usually required to provide a medical certificate from a registered doctor, especially for absences exceeding a certain number of consecutive days.
The duration for which sick leave is paid at the full rate may be limited, after which it might be paid at a reduced rate or transition to social security benefits if the employee is covered and the illness is long-term. Employers must establish clear procedures for reporting sickness and submitting medical documentation.
Parental Leave
Timor-Leste labor law provides for parental leave entitlements, primarily focusing on maternity leave, but also including provisions for paternity and potentially adoption leave.
- Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to a period of paid maternity leave. The standard duration is typically around 12 weeks, which can often be taken partly before and partly after childbirth. During maternity leave, employees are usually entitled to receive their full salary or a significant portion of it, often covered through a combination of employer responsibility and social security contributions.
- Paternity Leave: Fathers are typically entitled to a shorter period of paid paternity leave following the birth of a child, often a few days, to support the mother and bond with the newborn.
- Adoption Leave: While specific provisions may vary, employees who adopt a child may also be entitled to leave, often comparable to maternity leave, to facilitate the integration of the child into the family.
Specific requirements regarding notification to the employer and submission of relevant documentation (e.g., medical certificates, birth certificates) apply to all forms of parental leave.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond the standard categories, Timor-Leste labor law or common practice may recognize other types of leave for specific circumstances:
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically granted a short period of paid leave, usually a few days, in the event of the death of an immediate family member.
- Study Leave: While not always a statutory entitlement for all employees, some employment contracts or collective agreements may provide for paid or unpaid leave for employees pursuing further education or training relevant to their work.
- Marriage Leave: Some companies may offer a few days of paid leave for an employee's own marriage.
- Other Special Leave: Leave may also be granted for other urgent personal matters or civic duties, often at the discretion of the employer or as specified in employment contracts.
The availability and terms of these 'other' leave types can vary more widely than statutory entitlements like annual leave or maternity leave, depending on company policy and individual employment agreements.
