Employees in Niger are entitled to paid annual leave, as outlined in the Nigerien Labor Code. The key provisions are as follows:

Entitlement

Every employee is entitled to 30 calendar days of paid annual leave for each full year of service.

Accrual and Scheduling

The leave accrues at a rate of 2.5 calendar days per month of employment. The timing of vacation leave should be mutually agreed upon by employers and employees, considering the needs of the business.

Special Considerations

In certain circumstances, employees may be entitled to additional leave days based on their length of service with the company. Unused vacation days may be carried over to the following year or compensated financially, depending on the company policy or collective bargaining agreements. If employment is terminated, employees are entitled to payment for any accrued but unused vacation days.

Niger, a culturally and religiously diverse nation, observes a mix of secular, Christian, and Muslim holidays.

Fixed National Holidays

Niger celebrates several fixed national holidays throughout the year. These include:

• New Year's Day (January 1st): This day marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year.
• Concord Day (April 24th): This day celebrates the signing of the 1995 peace agreement which ended the Tuareg rebellion.
• Labour Day (May 1st): This day recognizes the contributions of the working class, similar to International Workers' Day.
• Independence Day (August 3rd): This day commemorates Niger's independence from France in 1960.
• Republic Day (December 18th): This day celebrates the founding of the Republic of Niger in 1958.
• Christmas Day (December 25th): This day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Muslim Holidays (Dates Vary)

Muslim holidays in Niger are based on the lunar Islamic calendar, so their dates change annually. These include:

• Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan): This is a joyful celebration marking the end of the month of Ramadan.
• Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice): This day commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, and involves the sacrifice of animals.
• Mawlid an-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday): This day celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

In Niger, employees are provided with a variety of leave options. These can be categorized into mandatory statutory leave and additional leave which is subject to employer policies.

Mandatory Statutory Leave

• Annual Leave: Employees are entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave per year after completing one year of continuous service.
• Sick Leave: Employees can avail five days of paid sick leave per year. A medical certification may be required for this.
• Maternity Leave: Female employees are provided with 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, which is divided into 6 weeks before birth and 8 weeks after. If the employee has been employed for at least two years, the employer pays 50% of the employee's wages during maternity leave, and social security pays the other 50%.
• Paternity Leave: Fathers are entitled to one day of paid paternity leave upon the birth of a child.

Additional Leave (Subject to Employer Policies)

• Casual/Compassionate Leave: Some employers offer a short period of paid leave for unexpected emergencies or family events.
• Study Leave: Employers may support employees pursuing further education with paid or unpaid leave options.

Important Notes

• It is recommended for employers to have clear leave policies that outline eligibility, application processes, and notice requirements.
• Leave amounts and regulations may vary slightly based on specific industry collective bargaining agreements.