Our Guide on The Different Forms of Leave Under Rwandan Law

Our Guide highlights the different forms of leave under Rwandan law, which include annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, and circumstantial leave. Below, we outline each type and what they entail.

Annual Leave

• Entitlement: An employer must provide an employee with 1.5 working days of leave per month, totaling 18 days per year. Employees aged 16 to 18 must receive two working days per month.
• Additional Leave: Employees earn one extra day of leave for every three years of service, up to a maximum of 21 days.
• Eligibility: Newly recruited employees are entitled to leave after one year, inclusive of the probation period. Employees on leave retain their contract rights.

Annual Leave Schedule:

• Drawn up by the employer, considering the employee’s wishes and business needs.
• Employees must request leave in writing, and employers must respond in writing.
• Approved leave schedules cannot be altered by the employer for more than three months without mutual agreement.
• Leave can be taken at once or in two phases.

Interruption of Annual Leave:

• Employers can call employees back to work due to business needs without waiving the remaining leave, which can be resumed within six months.

Prescription of Annual Leave:

• The right to request leave expires two years from when the employee became entitled to it.

Maternity Leave

• Entitlement: Female employees who give birth are entitled to 12 consecutive weeks of leave, with at least two weeks taken before delivery.
• Contributions: Maternity leave benefits require a contribution of 0.6% of the salary, split equally between employer and employee (0.3% each).

Sick Leave

Short-term Sick Leave:

• Up to 15 days for illness, certified by a recognized medical doctor.
• Employees must present a medical certificate to qualify for paid sick leave.

Long-term Sick Leave:

• Granted if illness exceeds 15 days, certified by a medical committee of three doctors.
• Entitles the employee to full salary for the first three months, followed by a three-month unpaid suspension if necessary.
• Employment contracts may be terminated if illness persists beyond six months, per labor law.

Circumstantial Leave

• Entitlement: Employees are entitled to paid leave for specific personal or family events.

Reasons for Circumstantial Leave:

• Worker’s civil wedding: 2 days
• Worker’s wife delivery: 4 days
• Death of spouse: 6 days
• Death of first direct line ascendant/descendant: 3 days
• Death of a sibling: 2 days
• Death of in-laws: 2 days (father/mother-in-law), 1 day (brother/sister-in-law)
• Worker’s transfer to another province or district: 2 days

Timing of Circumstantial Leave:

• Taken at the time of the related event. Other types of leave are suspended during circumstantial leave.

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Contact Information

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This guide is intended to provide general information and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal advice tailored to your situation, please consult with a qualified attorney at Stabit Advocates.