Employer of Record in Gabon

An Employer of Record, or EOR, is a company that legally hires employees on your behalf in Gabon. This lets you build a team there without setting up your own local company. The EOR takes care of all the legal and HR work that comes with employment. Think of it as your local HR department. They handle everything from employment contracts and payroll to taxes and employee benefits. Using an EOR like Rivermate makes it simpler to expand into the Gabonese market.

How an Employer of Record (EOR) Works in Gabon

Using an EOR in Gabon follows a straightforward process. You find the talent, and the EOR does the rest.

1. You Find the Talent: You identify the candidate you want to hire in Gabon.
2. The EOR Hires Them: The EOR legally hires the employee through their own registered entity in Gabon.
3. Onboarding Starts: The EOR manages the onboarding process. They make sure all paperwork is compliant with Gabonese labor laws.
4. Day-to-Day Work: Your new team member works for you, just like any other employee. You manage their daily tasks and projects.
5. HR and Payroll are Handled: The EOR takes care of all HR administration, including payroll, taxes, and benefits.

Why use an Employer of Record in Gabon

Using an EOR in Gabon helps you grow your business quickly and efficiently. It removes the need to set up a legal entity in the country, which can be a long and expensive process. This allows you to enter the market faster and with less risk.

• Compliance: An EOR ensures that you follow all of Gabon's labor laws. This includes rules for employment contracts, working hours, and paid leave.
• Reduced Costs: You avoid the high costs of setting up and maintaining a local company.
• Risk Management: The EOR handles compliance with local tax and labor laws, reducing your legal risks.
• Focus on Growth: With the EOR managing HR and administrative tasks, you can focus on your core business goals.

Rivermate's transparent pricing model eliminates complexity with a single, competitive monthly fee per employee. Unlike traditional PEO providers, our pricing in Gabon includes comprehensive HR support, benefits administration, compliance management, and access to our proprietary dashboard for real-time workforce analytics. No hidden costs, no setup fees—just straightforward pricing that scales with your business needs while ensuring full legal compliance in Gabon.

Hiring in Gabon requires understanding local labor laws and cultural practices. The country's economy is largely driven by its natural resources like oil, timber, and manganese. French is the official language, so it's important for business communication. While you can hire employees by setting up a local entity, partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) can simplify the process, managing compliance, payroll, and benefits without needing to establish a legal presence yourself.

Employment contracts & must-have clauses

While verbal agreements are allowed, it's best practice to have a written employment contract in French. This contract should clearly state the terms of employment, including compensation and benefits, in Central African CFA francs.

There are two main types of employment contracts in Gabon:

• Indefinite-Term Contract (CDI): This is the standard contract for ongoing work with no set end date.
• Fixed-Term Contract (CDD): This contract is for a specific period, up to a maximum of two years, and can be renewed once.

Your employment contracts must include the following:

• Identification of both the employer and employee
• Workplace location
• Job title and description of duties
• Start date of employment
• Contract duration (for fixed-term contracts)
• Salary, bonuses, and benefits information
• Payment frequency
• Working hours
• Probationary period details
• Paid leave entitlement

Probation periods

Probation periods in Gabon allow you and the employee to assess if the working relationship is a good fit. The maximum length of a probationary period depends on the employee's role:

During the probation period, either you or the employee can end the contract with a shorter notice period than is typically required.

Working hours & overtime

The standard workweek in Gabon is 40 hours, usually spread over five days with an 8-hour workday. Any work done beyond these 40 hours is considered overtime. Overtime is limited to 20 hours per week and must be compensated at a higher rate.

Here are the typical overtime pay rates:

• Weekdays: 1.25 times the regular hourly wage.
• Sundays and public holidays: 1.5 to 2 times the regular hourly wage.

Public & regional holidays

Your employees in Gabon are entitled to paid time off for public holidays. Here is a list of public holidays for 2025:

Hiring contractors in Gabon

Hiring independent contractors in Gabon can give your business flexibility and access to specialized skills for project-based work. When you hire a contractor, you are not responsible for things like payroll taxes and benefits.

However, it is important to correctly classify workers. Misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor can lead to penalties, including fines and back taxes. Gabonese authorities will look at the actual working relationship, not just the contract, to determine if a worker is an employee. Factors that point to an employment relationship include:

• The company controls how, when, and where the work is done.
• The worker is integrated into the company's hierarchy.
• The worker is required to work exclusively for the company.
• The company provides the tools and equipment.
• The worker receives regular, fixed payments like a salary.

An Employer of Record (EOR) can help you avoid misclassification risks. An EOR legally employs workers on your behalf, ensuring compliance with all local labor laws. This allows you to work with talent in Gabon without the legal risks associated with hiring contractors directly.

Understanding compensation and payroll in Gabon is straightforward. The system is designed to be clear for both employers and employees. Most companies pay their staff monthly. This regular cycle helps you manage your finances. Your total pay often includes more than just your base salary. It can also include allowances for things like housing or transportation.

Payroll cycles & wage structure

In Gabon, the payroll cycle is monthly. You can expect to receive your salary once a month, usually at the end of the month. This is the standard practice for most businesses.

Your wage structure is based on your employment contract. While a 13th-month salary is not required by law, many employers choose to pay it as a bonus. Your salary can also vary based on your industry, experience, and location. For example, jobs in cities like Libreville or in the oil and mining sectors often pay more.

Overtime & minimums

The standard work week in Gabon is 40 hours. If you work more than the standard hours, you are entitled to overtime pay. The government sets clear rules for this.

• Weekday Overtime: Paid at 125% of your normal hourly rate.
• Weekend and Holiday Overtime: Paid at 150% to 200% of your regular wage.

Gabon has a national minimum wage to ensure fair pay. As of January 1, 2025, the minimum wage is XAF 150,000 per month.

Employer taxes and contributions

Employers in Gabon contribute to several social funds on behalf of their employees. These contributions cover pensions, family allowances, and workplace accident insurance.

Employee taxes and deductions

As an employee, you also contribute to social security from your salary. You also pay a progressive income tax.

Your income tax, known as IRPP, is calculated based on how much you earn. The rates for 2025 are structured in brackets.

• 0% on annual income up to XAF 1,500,000.
• 10% on income from XAF 1,500,001 to XAF 3,000,000.
• 15% on income from XAF 3,000,001 to XAF 6,000,000.
• 20% on income from XAF 6,000,001 to XAF 12,000,000.
• 25% on income above XAF 12,000,000.

In Gabon, providing competitive benefits and leave is key to attracting and retaining top talent. The law sets minimum standards for employee support, covering time off and other essential benefits. Understanding these requirements is the first step to building a strong team in the country.

Statutory leave

Gabonese law provides several types of leave for employees.

• Annual Leave Employees in Gabon are entitled to 24 days of paid annual leave. This is accrued at a rate of two days per month of work.
• Sick Leave Employees can receive up to six months of paid sick leave. The employer pays for the initial period, and social security may cover longer absences.
• Maternity Leave Female employees get 14 weeks of paid maternity leave. This is typically split into six weeks before and eight weeks after childbirth.
• Paternity Leave Fathers can take three consecutive days of paid leave after the birth of a child.
• Family Event Leave Employees may be entitled to 10 days of paid leave for significant family events.

Public holidays & regional holidays

Gabon observes 11 paid national holidays.

Typical supplemental benefits

To stay competitive, many employers offer benefits beyond the legal requirements.

How an EOR can help with setting up benefits

An Employer of Record (EOR) simplifies the process of offering benefits in Gabon. An EOR acts as the legal employer for your team in the country.

This means the EOR handles:

• Compliance Ensuring your benefits package meets all local labor laws.
• Administration Managing the paperwork and logistics of enrolling employees in statutory and supplemental benefits programs.
• Payroll Integrating benefits contributions with payroll for accurate and timely processing.

Using an EOR saves you the time and complexity of setting up a local entity. It allows you to focus on your business goals while the EOR takes care of the legal and administrative burdens of employing staff in Gabon.

When an employment relationship in Gabon ends, you need to follow a clear process. The country's Labor Code protects both you and your employee, outlining specific steps for termination and offboarding. You must have a valid reason for ending a contract, such as disciplinary issues, redundancy, or mutual agreement. The process requires clear communication and formal documentation, like a written termination letter. This ensures you handle the separation fairly and legally.

Notice periods

You must provide employees with a written notice period before termination. The length of this period depends on the employee's role and how long they have worked for you.

Here are the minimum notice periods:

• Manual Workers
  • Less than 1 year of service: 8 days
  • 1 to 5 years of service: 15 days
  • More than 5 years of service: 1 month
• Non-Manual Workers
  • Less than 1 year of service: 15 days
  • 1 to 5 years of service: 1 month
  • More than 5 years of service: 2 months
• Supervisors and Technicians
  • Less than 1 year of service: 1 month
  • 1 to 5 years of service: 2 months
  • More than 5 years of service: 3 months
• Executives and Managers
  • Less than 1 year of service: 2 months
  • 1 to 5 years of service: 3 months
  • More than 5 years of service: 4 months

During the notice period, you must give the employee paid time off to look for a new job.

Severance pay

Employees in Gabon are entitled to severance pay after two years of service. You do not have to pay severance in cases of serious misconduct. The amount of severance pay depends on the employee's length of service. You must pay all final wages, including accrued leave, at the end of the employment.

How Rivermate handles compliant exits

At Rivermate, we make sure every termination process in Gabon is compliant and smooth. We manage all the necessary steps to protect you from legal risks.

Our process includes:

• Guidance on local laws: We help you understand and follow Gabon's Labor Code for every termination.
• Proper documentation: We prepare and handle all required paperwork, including the formal termination letter.
• Calculating final pay: We accurately calculate severance pay, accrued vacation, and any other final payments.
• Clear communication: We facilitate a clear and respectful offboarding process for the departing employee.

We handle the complexities of offboarding so you can focus on your business.

Getting the right documents to work in Gabon takes time and planning. All foreign nationals need a visa to work in the country. The process involves several government agencies, so it is best to start early. It can take a few months to get your work permit. After you work in Gabon for three months, you can get "resident worker" status, which lets you work in the country for two years.

Employment visas & sponsorship realities

An Employer of Record (EOR) can help you with the complex process of getting a work visa. However, there are some things you need to know.

To get a work permit, you must have a job offer from a company in Gabon. Your employer will start the application process with the Ministry of Labor.

You will need to provide several documents, including:

• A valid passport with at least six months left before it expires.
• Your signed employment contract.
• Proof of your qualifications and education.
• A letter of invitation from your employer.

Once the Ministry of Labor approves your work permit, you can apply for a visa to enter Gabon. After you arrive, you must also get a residence card.

Gabon offers different types of work visas:

Business travel compliance

If you are traveling to Gabon for short trips like meetings, conferences, or negotiations, you need a business visa. This type of visa does not let you work in the country.

A business visa usually allows you to stay for up to 90 days. You can apply for this visa through a Gabon embassy or its e-visa website. If you get an e-visa, make sure you do not travel to Gabon before the arrival date on your registration or you could face penalties.