Sick Leave
Income
After completing twelve months’ continuous service, an employee is entitled to at least four weeks’ sick leave on full pay and eight weeks' sick leave on half pay during each year. During sick leave, an employee is paid the normal wages. The maximum duration for the sickness benefit is 12 weeks, and the rate decreases over time.
An employer will not be bound to grant sick leave unless the employee produces a certificate from a registered medical practitioner stating the nature of the employee’s incapacity.
Source: §46 of the Employment Act (No. 6 of 2000), last amended in 2021; ISSA Country Profile for Malawi
Medical Care
No provisions on free medical care for sick workers could be identified within the law. The public health system provides some free medical services in government health centres and hospitals, including immunizations and treatments for tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Job Security
The employer cannot terminate an employee’s service during his/her temporary absence from work because of sickness or injury. However, the law has not specified the duration of this temporary absence from work because of sickness or injury. The minimum duration is at least 12 weeks as specified in the Employment Act.
Source: §46 & 58 of the Employment Act (No. 6 of 2000), last amended in 2021
Regulations on Sick Leave
- Employment Act (No. 6 of 2000), last amended in 2010
