In Mozambique, the Labor Law (Law No. 23/2007) primarily governs vacation leave entitlements.

Basic Entitlement

During the initial year of employment, employees accumulate one day of paid leave for each month of service. This entitlement increases to two days of paid leave for each month of service in the second year of employment. From the third year onwards, employees are entitled to 30 days of paid leave per year of service.

Scheduling and Flexibility

The employer and employee should agree upon the timing of vacation leave. While employers generally have the right to determine when vacation is taken, they must consider the employee's preferences when possible. Up to 15 days of vacation can be accumulated per year, provided they are used within the following year. However, no more than 60 days of leave may be accumulated at any given time. Additionally, no more than 30 days of vacation leave can be taken in advance.

Important Considerations

The calculation of vacation leave entitlement is based on periods of continuous service with the same employer. Employees are entitled to their full salary during vacation leave.

Mozambique celebrates a variety of national, religious, and commemorative holidays.

National Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1): This day marks the beginning of a new calendar year.
• Mozambican Heroes' Day (February 3): This day commemorates Eduardo Mondlane, a leader in the fight for Mozambique's independence, and other heroes who fought against colonialism.
• Mozambican Women's Day (April 7): This day celebrates the social, political, and economic achievements of Mozambican women.
• International Workers' Day (May 1): Also known as Labor Day, this day recognizes the contributions of workers to society.
• Mozambique's Independence Day (June 25): This is the most significant national holiday, commemorating Mozambique's proclamation of independence from Portugal in 1975.
• Victory Day (September 7): This day celebrates the signing of the Lusaka Peace Agreement in 1974, which paved the way for Mozambique's independence.
• Mozambique Armed Forces' Day (September 25): This day honors the Mozambican military forces.
• Peace and Reconciliation Day (October 4): This day marks the end of the Mozambican Civil War with the signing of the General Peace Agreement in 1992.
• Family Day / Christmas Day (December 25): This is a national holiday celebrating Christmas and family togetherness.

Religious Holidays

Mozambique has a diverse religious population, and some religious holidays may be observed:

• Eid al-Fitr: This holiday marks the end of Ramadan (dates vary).
• Eid al-Adha: Known as the Feast of the Sacrifice (dates vary).

Other Notable Dates

• Maputo Day (November 10): This day celebrates Maputo, the capital city.

In Mozambique, the Labor Law (Law No. 23/2007) stipulates various types of leave that employees are entitled to.

Annual Leave

Employees are entitled to annual leave based on their years of service. In the first year of service, they are entitled to 1 calendar day of leave per month. In the second year of service, this increases to 2 calendar days of leave per month. From the third year of service onward, employees are entitled to 30 calendar days of leave per year. Annual leave should be planned between the employer and employee to ensure minimal disruption to work activities. Employees are entitled to full pay during their annual leave period.

Sick Leave

The Labor Law allows employees time off due to illness or injury. The exact amount of sick leave may vary based on company policy or collective bargaining agreements. Employers may require a medical certificate to justify absences due to illness, especially for extended periods.

Maternity Leave

The Labor Law grants female employees 90 consecutive days of maternity leave. While the first 60 days are paid through social security (INSS), the final 30 days are generally unpaid unless otherwise agreed upon in the employment contract.

Paternity Leave

The Labor Law recently introduced 7 days of unpaid paternity leave for fathers within an 18-month period.

Bereavement Leave

Employees are entitled to up to 5 days of leave in the event of the death of close family members, as defined by the Labor Law.

Other Types of Leave

Depending on the specific circumstances, company policy, or collective agreements, Mozambican employees may be entitled to additional types of leave such as:

• Study Leave: For employees pursuing further education.
• Marriage Leave: A short period of leave granted around the time of an employee's marriage.
• Leave for Public Interest: Leave may be granted for civic responsibilities such as voting or jury duty.