In Somalia, the Labour Code Law No. 65 of 18 October 1972 is the primary legal framework that outlines employee rights, including vacation leave entitlements.

Annual Vacation Leave

According to this law, employees are entitled to a minimum of 15 days of paid annual leave for every year of continuous service. The leave entitlement accrues throughout the year of employment. The specific timing and scheduling of leave is typically determined in agreement between the employer and employee.

Considerations

It's worth noting that some industries or workplaces might have more generous vacation allowances. These are often established through collective bargaining agreements or individual employment contracts. However, workers within Somalia's informal sector may not have the same guaranteed access to formal vacation leave. Their entitlements might be determined by individual agreements with their employers.

In Somalia, there are several public holidays that are observed throughout the year. These holidays are based on both the Gregorian and Islamic calendars.

Gregorian Calendar Holidays

• New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1, marking the start of the Gregorian calendar year.
• Labour Day is observed on May 1, celebrating the contributions of workers and laborers.
• Independence Day is commemorated on June 26, marking the independence of the State of Somaliland (formerly British Somaliland) from the United Kingdom in 1960.
• Republic Day is celebrated on July 1, honoring the unification of former British and Italian territories in 1960 and the formation of the Somali Republic.

Islamic Calendar Holidays

The Islamic Calendar is lunar, so dates shift slightly on the Gregorian calendar each year. Here are the major Islamic religious holidays in Somalia:

• Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. This is a multi-day celebration.
• Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, commemorates Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, for Allah.
• Ashura is observed on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar. This is an important day of observance for both Sunni and Shia Muslims, with different historical events commemorated.
• Mawlid al-Nabi, which celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, is also a significant holiday.

Important Notes

Please note that dates for Islamic calendar holidays may vary slightly based on moon sighting. Also, certain holidays, such as Independence Day, may be primarily celebrated in specific regions like Somaliland.

Employees in Somalia are generally entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave per year, although some sources indicate a shorter entitlement of 15-21 days. This leave accrues throughout the year of employment.

Sick Leave

Employees are generally entitled to varying periods of paid sick leave, often with a requirement for a medical certificate after a certain number of days. For example, they may be entitled to 7 days with full pay and an additional 7 days with half pay.

Maternity Leave

Women are entitled to 14 weeks of maternity leave, with at least 6 weeks taken after the birth. Typically, 50% of wages are paid during maternity leave.

Paternity Leave

Information on statutory paternity leave in Somalia is limited. Some sources indicate fathers may be entitled to 2 weeks of paid paternity leave.

Other Types of Leave

Somali labor regulations may provide for additional types of leave, including but not limited to:

• Bereavement Leave
• Voting Leave
• Military Leave

Eligibility for certain leaves might depend on the length of service with an employer. Public and private sector leave regulations may have some distinctions. Always consult the Somali Labour Code for the most up-to-date and comprehensive understanding of leave entitlements.