In Zambia, the Employment Code Act No. 3 of 2019, Section 37, stipulates that employees are entitled to at least two days of paid vacation leave for each completed month of service. This equates to a minimum of 24 working days of annual leave per year. For part-time employees, leave is granted on a pro-rata basis according to the number of hours worked.

Eligibility

Vacation leave is available to all full-time employees who have completed a minimum of six months of continuous service.

Calculation and Accrual

Vacation leave accrues throughout the year. It is important to note that leave cannot be forfeited at the end of the year and should be carried over if not taken. The management of accumulated leave is subject to mutual agreement between employers and employees.

Payment During Leave

During their vacation leave, employees are entitled to receive their full basic pay along with any other allowances. Typically, payment is made prior to the commencement of the leave period.

Scheduling

The scheduling of vacation leave should be a mutual agreement between employers and employees. However, employers reserve the right to determine the timing of leave to ensure the smooth operation of the business.

Zambia, located in Southern Africa, celebrates a variety of public holidays throughout the year. These holidays reflect the country's cultural, historical, and religious diversity.

New Year's Day

New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1st. This day marks the start of the new calendar year.

Youth Day

Youth Day is observed on March 12th. This day is dedicated to the youth of the nation.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The date varies as it is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday.

Easter Monday

Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The date varies each year.

Labor Day

Labor Day is celebrated on May 1st. This day honors workers and their contributions.

Africa Freedom Day

Africa Freedom Day is observed on May 25th. This day commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity.

Heroes' Day

Heroes' Day is celebrated on the first Monday of July. This day honors national heroes who contributed to the country's independence and development.

Unity Day

Unity Day is observed on the Tuesday following Heroes' Day. This day promotes unity and peace among the citizens.

Farmers' Day

Farmers' Day is celebrated on the first Monday of August. This day honors the country's agricultural sector and its contribution to the economy.

Independence Day

Independence Day is observed on October 24th. This day marks Zambia's independence from British colonial rule in 1964.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25th. This Christian holiday commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Additional Information

If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is usually observed as a holiday. Additionally, the President of Zambia may declare additional public holidays.

In Zambia, employees are entitled to various types of leave, each with its own set of rules and regulations.

Annual Leave

Employees are entitled to a minimum of 24 working days of paid annual leave for each completed year of service. All employees who have completed at least six months of continuous service are eligible for this leave.

Sick Leave

The amount of paid sick leave varies depending on the length of employment. Employees with up to 6 months of service are not entitled to any sick leave. Those with 6 months to 1 year of service are entitled to 14 days of sick leave. Employees with over 1 year of service can take up to 28 days of sick leave in a 12-month period. A medical certificate may be required for extended sick leave.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to 14 weeks (98 days) of paid maternity leave.

Paternity Leave

Male employees are entitled to 5 working days of paid paternity leave within 30 days of the child's birth.

Compassionate Leave

Employees are entitled to up to 3 days of paid leave on the death of a close family member (spouse, child, parent, etc.). This type of leave is often outlined in collective agreements or company policies, but it's not explicitly mandated by the Employment Code Act.

Other potential types of leave

Study Leave may be available as per individual contracts or collective bargaining agreements. Unpaid Leave can be agreed upon between the employer and the employee.

Specific leave entitlements can vary based on employment contracts or industry-specific regulations. Employers are encouraged to have clear leave policies that outline employee rights and procedures.