Family Responsibilities

Paternity Leave

An employee is entitled to two weeks of paternity leave on full pay, to be taken within three days after the birth of his child or immediately following miscarriage by his wife. On completion of paternity leave, the worker has the right to return to the position that he held immediately before taking leave.

Sources: §65 of the Labour Act, 2017

Parental Leave

There is no provision in the law on paid or unpaid parental leave.

Flexible Work Option for Parents / Work-Life Balance

There is no option in the law on flexible work options or part-time work for parents during the early years of their children.

An employee who is employed to work for more than 4 days a week and has been in continuous service for the employer for at least three months is entitled to fully paid annual compassionate leave of 3 days. An employee can take compassionate leave due to illness/injury of a child or spouse, or because of the death of a family member of the employee.

Sources: §66 of the Labour Act, 2017

Special Leaves

An employee is entitled to up to 3 days of fully paid compassionate leave per year after 3 months of service (working at least 4 days a week). These leaves are provided in case of illness or injury of the employee’s child or spouse, or death of a family member of the employee. Unused compassionate leave does not carry over to the following year. Trade Union members are also entitled to paid leave to attend union-sponsored training, workshops, seminars, or events, whether organised by the union or outside groups. A list of its officials is provided to the employer in advance by the union.

An employee is also entitled to unpaid leave for reasons like attending religious or cultural events, caring for a seriously ill or injured family member who relies on them, studying for work-related purposes, or joining a spouse who must move abroad for work. The employer should not unfairly deny this leave, and can set its terms.

Sources: §62, 66 & 67 of the Labour Act, 2017