Holiday leave
In Tonga, employees who have worked at least 20 days within a month and completed 12 months of continuous service are entitled to 20 working days of paid vacation leave for each year of service.
Entitlement
Employees who have met the specified criteria are entitled to their vacation leave.
Important Considerations
There are several key factors to consider when it comes to vacation leave.
Continuous Service
The entitlement to vacation leave is dependent on uninterrupted employment with the same employer.
Unused Leave
Employees have the option to carry over unused leave days to the following year. However, this is subject to the consent of the employer. Alternatively, employees can opt to be compensated financially for unused days.
Scheduling
The scheduling of vacation leave is typically a joint decision between employers and employees. Employers are obligated to grant leave within six months of an employee's request.
Public holidays
Tonga, a Polynesian kingdom, celebrates a variety of public holidays throughout the year. These holidays range from national holidays, religious holidays, to other notable observances.
National Holidays
Tonga celebrates several national holidays. These include:
- New Year's Day on January 1st
- Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala Birthday, which is celebrated in early July, though the date may vary
- Emancipation Day on June 4th, which commemorates the end of serfdom
- King Tupou VI Birthday, also celebrated in early July with the date varying
- Constitution Day on November 4th, which commemorates the promulgation of Tonga's constitution
- National Day, also on November 4th, often celebrated along with Constitution Day
- King Tupou I Day on December 4th
- Christmas Day on December 25th
- Boxing Day on December 26th
Religious Holidays
Tonga also observes several religious holidays. These include:
- Good Friday, the date of which varies based on the Christian calendar
- Easter Monday, which also varies based on the Christian calendar
Other Notable Observances
In addition to national and religious holidays, Tonga also has other notable observances. One of these is the Heilala Festival Week, usually held in early July. This week-long festival features cultural events, sporting competitions, and vibrant celebrations.
Types of leave
In Tonga, employees have access to various types of leave, each with its own set of entitlements and legal references.
Annual Leave (Vacation Leave)
Employees who have worked at least 20 days within a month and completed 12 months of continuous service are entitled to 20 working days of paid annual leave for each year of service. This is in accordance with the Employment Relations Act of Tonga (2002), Part VI.
Sick Leave
Sick leave entitlements depend on the period of employment. Employees are entitled to paid sick leave after completing six months of continuous service. Those with 6-12 months of service are entitled to 5 working days, while those with over 1 year of service are entitled to 10 working days for every 12 months of service. This is also in line with the Employment Relations Act of Tonga (2002), Part VI.
Maternity Leave
Female employees are entitled to 84 days of paid maternity leave, which is approximately 12 weeks. This is as per the Employment Relations Act of Tonga (2002), Part VI.
Bereavement Leave
Upon the death of a close family member, employees may be entitled to 3 days of paid compassionate/bereavement leave. This is also in accordance with the Employment Relations Act of Tonga (2002), Part VI.
Other Notable Leave Types
Special leave may be granted for personal reasons or for fulfilling cultural and religious obligations.
Important Considerations
Employers may offer enhanced leave provisions. Details would be outlined in employment contracts or company policies.
