In Samoa, the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013 (LERA) regulates the vacation leave entitlements for employees.

Annual Leave Entitlement

Every employee is entitled to a minimum of 10 working days of paid annual leave for each full year of service. For those who have not completed a full year of service, they are entitled to prorated leave based on their months worked. This is stipulated in Section 27 of the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013.

Scheduling and Unused Vacation Leave

The scheduling of vacation leave should be a mutual agreement between employers and employees, considering the operational needs of the business. If vacation leave remains unused, it may be carried over to the next period. However, employers have the right to set limits on the amount of leave that can be accrued.

Samoa celebrates a variety of national, religious, and cultural holidays throughout the year.

New Year's Day

This holiday is observed on January 1st, marking the start of the new year.

Day After New Year's Day

The celebration continues on January 2nd, the day after New Year's Day.

Good Friday

The date for Good Friday varies each year. It is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday.

Easter Monday

Easter Monday also varies each year, being celebrated the day after Easter Sunday.

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is observed on April 25th. This day commemorates the Australian and New Zealand soldiers.

Independence Day

Samoa celebrates its Independence Day on June 1st.

Father's Day

Father's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in August.

White Sunday (Lotu a Tamaiti)

White Sunday, also known as Lotu a Tamaiti, is observed on the second Sunday in October.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25th.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day is observed on December 26th.

It's important to note that regional holidays or specific celebratory days may also be observed in certain parts of Samoa.

In Samoa, the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013 (LERA) and other associated regulations provide several types of leave for employees.

Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to a minimum of 10 working days of paid sick leave per year of service. Medical certification may be required after a certain period of absence.

Maternity Leave

Maternity leave provisions include a minimum of 6 weeks paid leave. An optional additional 6 weeks of unpaid leave may also be granted. The compensation for this leave is paid by the employer.

Paternity Leave

Fathers are entitled to up to 5 days of paid paternity leave.

Bereavement Leave

In the event of the death of an immediate family member, employees can avail up to 3 days of paid bereavement leave.

Special Leave

Special leave may be granted for reasons such as civic duties, sporting representation, cultural events, and community responsibilities. The entitlements and conditions for this type of leave can vary.

Eligibility and Collective Agreements

Specific eligibility criteria may vary based on the type of leave and length of service. Some workplaces may offer more generous leave provisions under collective bargaining agreements.