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Last updated on: July 6th, 2022

Labor Requirements

The Labor Law in Chad is regulated mainly by the Labor Code, 1996 (Law no. 038/PR/96). The Law governs the terms and conditions of employment such as working hours, holidays and rest periods, wages, overtime, and other employment conditions. The other regulations that govern the employment relationship are Decree No. 56 / PR-MTJS-DTMOPS of 8 February 1969 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of weekly rest; Decree No. 97-413 PR / MFPT of 30 September 1997 amending the list and the regime for public holidays; Decree No. 57 / PR-MTJS-DTMOPS of 8 February 1969 fixing the hours during which work is considered night work & General Collective Agreement, 2002.

Hours & Pay Regulations

Normal Working Hours

An employee’s normal working hours shall not exceed 39 hours per week. 

 

Make-up time – The employee may have reduced working hours on in certain weeks, and recover by working additional hours on other days, without such additional hours being considered overtime. 

 

Unequal Distribution of Working Hours – Modulation agreements shall establish, unequal distribution of normal working hours, wherein the duration of less activity shall be compensated by periods of greater activity on a different day on the basis of seasonal needs in the business. 

 

A modulation agreement therefore can reduce the work duration in certain weeks to below 39 hours and in other weeks extend the duration of work beyond 39 hours without such excess hours being considered overtime work. 

 

In order for it to be valid, the modulation agreements must indicate the precise annual schedule of working hours. 

 

Work Schedule – The days and hours of work are fixed by the regulations in force and also consider any account peculiarities of the employee’s profession. 

 

Any change in the working hours of an employee shall be done with prior consultation with the employee’s representative with the approval of the Labor Authority, taking into account the intermittent nature of work during off-peak hours, load shedding, etc which may cause longer working hours without premium requirement. Labor Code, 1996 (Law no. 038/PR/96), Art. 194, 201-203, Art 53 of the General Collective Agreement, 2002.

Overtime

Any work performed beyond 39 hours per week shall be considered overtime. An employee cannot work more than 94 hours of overtime in a year.

 

Employees shall be required to perform overtime work for tasks related to urgent work which requires immediate action to prevent accidents via equipment, installations, or repair the consequences of damages. 

 

Employees shall not perform work for a duration of more than 11 hours a day and 54 hours per week inclusive of overtime hours.

 

If there is an interruption during a work shift, it may result in an increase in working hours in order to compensate for the loss of working time because of such interruption. These hours thus recovered shall not be considered overtime. However, the total duration of work shall not be more than 11 hours a day and 54 hours per week.

 

Pay – Employees shall be entitled to overtime pay decided by the Labor Authority. A collective agreement may also set the premium for overtime. In accordance with the general collective agreement, employees who work beyond the regular working hours shall be entitled to the following premium on the basic salary – 

      • 10% premium for the first 8 overtime hours;
      • 25% premium for overtime worked beyond the 8th hour.

    Labor Code, 1996 (Law no. 038/PR/96), Art. 197-199, Art 54 of the General Collective Agreement, 2002.

    Night Work

    The working hours to be considered as night work is generally fixed by decree of the Labor Authorities. The duration of night work may vary seasonally but shall include in any case the duration between 10 pm and 5 am. 

     

    The labor legislation does not provide monetary allowance or reduction in working hours for regular night work.

     

    Except in special cases determined by a collective agreement, the normal working hours during the night period do not give rise to an increase in pay.

     

    Pay for Overtime at Night -In accordance with the general collective agreement, overtime work at night hours shall be compensated as follows: 

        • 50% premium for overtime work on regular working days; and
        • 100% premium for overtime work on weekly and public holidays.

      Labor Code, 1996 (Law no. 038/PR/96), Art. 204, §1 of the Decree No. 57 / PR-MTJS-DTMOPS of 8 February 1969 fixing the hours during which work is considered night work

      Work On Rest Days

      Employees are entitled to compulsory weekly rest of at least 24 consecutive hours. Such weekly rest usually takes place on a Sunday.

       

      The Labor Authority may provide the procedure for providing weekly rest, especially in cases where the weekly rest may either be given in rotation or collectively on day days other than Sunday, or, be suspended by way of compensation, or spread over a duration longer than a week. 

       

      Suspension of weekly rest – Weekly rest may be suspended in case of urgent work to be performed immediately to organize safety measures, or to prevent or repair accidents to the material. In industries with perishable goods or in case of excess work, the weekly rest day may be suspended for a maximum of twice a month and six times a year. If a weekly rest day is suspended due to the above-mentioned scenario, the employee shall be entitled to overtime compensation.

       

      Except in special cases determined by a collective agreement, the normal working hours on a weekly rest day do not give rise to an increase in pay.

       

      Pay for Overtime on Weekly Rest – in accordance with the general collective agreement, overtime work during weekly rest shall be compensated as follows: 

          • 50% premium for overtime work during daytime;
          • 100% premium for overtime work at night.

         

        Labor Code, 1996 (Law no. 038/PR/96), Art. 209, Art 54 of the General Collective Agreement, 2002, Decree No. 56 / PR-MTJS-DTMOPS of 8 February 1969 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of weekly rest;

        Public Holidays

        The list of statutory holidays are determined by decree on the proposal of the government authority. Legislation in Chad provides for the following 11 paid and unpaid public holidays. 

         

        Paid Holiday Includes – 

            • New Year’s Day – Jan 1
            • Labor Day – May 1
            • Independence Day – Aug 11
            • Freedom and Democracy Day – Dec 1

           

          When paid holidays fall on a Sunday, the following Monday is given a holiday.

           

          Unpaid Holiday Includes – 

                • Easter Monday
                • Aid-el-fitr
                • Aid-el-Adha
                • Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday – Oct 29
                • All Saints Day – Nov 1
                • Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic – Nov 28
                • Christmas Day – Dec 25

             

            Unpaid holidays do not give rise to any compensation and an employer may recover the hours lost on other working days

             

            Public holidays may be suspended in case of urgent work has to be performed immediately to organize safety measures or to prevent or repair accidents to the material. 

             

            Except in special cases determined by a collective agreement, the normal working hours on a public holiday do not give rise to an increase in pay.

             

            Pay for Overtime on Holiday – In accordance with the general collective agreement, overtime work on a public holiday is compensated as follows: 

                    • 50% premium for overtime work during daytime;
                    • 100% premium for overtime work during the night.

               

              Decree No. 97-413 PR / MFPT of 30 September 1997 amending the list and the regime for public holidays, Labor Code, 1996 (Law no. 038/PR/96), Art. 211, Art 54 of the General Collective Agreement, 2002

              Annual Leave

              Employees are entitled to 24 working days of annual leave after 1 year of service. Paid annual leave is provided at the rate of 2 working days per month of actual work. One month of actual work is the period equivalent to 04 weeks or 24 days of work. 

               

              For the calculation of the duration of the leave, the previously paid leaves, the absences from work due to accident or occupational disease, the rest periods of women in childbirth provided, and absence due to sick leave of up to a limit of 6 months, are considered as periods of effective work. 

               

              The duration of the leave may be increased by means of a collective agreement, in particular for young people under the age of 18, mothers, and employees who have acquired certain seniority in the organization.

               

                  • Young workers under the age of 18: 2 working days per month
                  • Employed mothers: 1 additional day off per year and per child
                  • Employees with dependent under 14 years of age and registered with the Civil Registry;

                 

                Employees with more than 10 years of seniority shall be provided with extra days of annual leave as follows –

                      • 2 days after 10 years of service;
                      • 4 days after 20 years of service;
                      • 6 days after 25 years of service.

                  These days of annual leave cannot be accumulated.

                   

                  The duration of annual leave for employees employed outside their place of employment is increased by travel time from the place of employment to the place of employment outside the place of work and vice versa.

                   

                  The leave must actually be taken within the following 12 months from the date of accrual.

                   

                  Splitting of Leave  – Based on an agreement between employer and employee, the annual leave may be split up provided that the employee takes at least 14 consecutive days, including weekly rest days or public holidays.

                   

                  Vacation Pay – The employer must pay the employee, throughout the duration of the leave, a daily, weekly, or monthly allowance at least equal to the daily, weekly, or monthly average of the wages, salary accessories, allowances, bonuses, and various commissions acquired. by the employee during the 12 months preceding the day of departure on leave.

                   

                  The following are excluded from the calculation of the annual leave allowance:

                          • Allowances representing expenses or professional risks;
                          • Bonuses inherent in the nature of the work;
                          • Benefits in kind, except food.

                     

                    The leave allowance must be paid in full before the departure of the employee for annual leave.

                     

                    Employees shall be granted exceptional leave on the occasion of family events that directly affect the employee’s household. Such leave shall not be deducted from the duration of annual leave. Special leave granted in addition to public holidays may, on the contrary, be deducted from annual leave unless it has been recovered in any form whatsoever.

                     

                    Termination of Employment – When the employment contract ends before the employee has actually been able to take the leave, an allowance calculated on the basis of the leave acquired on the day the employment contract ends must be paid to the employee.

                     

                    Apart from this case, any agreement providing for the granting of a compensatory indemnity instead of the leave is null and void. Labor Code, 1996 (Law no. 038/PR/96), Art. 212-223, Art 57 of the General Collective Agreement, 2002.

                    Special Leave

                    Sick Leave

                    Employees shall be entitled to sick leave in the event of a non-occupational illness duly certified by a doctor which results in the employee being unable to perform their duties.

                     

                    To obtain sick leave, the employee must send the employer a request supported by a medical certificate from a licensed physician. The period of leave cannot exceed a duration of 6 months and can only be renewed once.

                     

                    In the event of a work accident or occupational disease duly recorded, the duration of 6 months of leave provided above shall be extended until the employee recovers from the injury or heals from the illness.

                     

                    Pay – An employee on sick leave shall retain their compensation for the following periods according to their seniority:

                        • If the employee has less than 12 consecutive months of service: – the full salary for a period 1 month;
                        • If the employee has more than 12 consecutive months of service – the employee shall be granted full pay for 3 months and half of the salary for 3 months following this period.
                        • If the employee has more than 5 years’ seniority, the employee shall be entitled to full pay for 6months.

                     

                    The advantages in terms of sick leave pay also apply to employees who have suffered an accident at work or an illness professionally. At the end of sick leave, the employee’s situation is examined:

                          • If an employee is physically fit to return to the original employment, the employee is reinstated in the original employment;
                          • If the employee is physically impaired, the employee may be reclassified to another job compatible with their new physical abilities, they shall be entitled to the salary and benefits of such new employment.
                          • If the employee is found physically unfit for any use by an accredited doctor, they shall be considered dismissed incapacity.

                     

                    The employer is entitled to allow an employee whose performance is reduced as a result of an accident or infirmity of a medically recognized nature to be paid less than the minimum wage of the occupational category. An employer who intends to avail themselves of this right should inform the person concerned in writing, either at the time of the undertaking or upon finding that he is unable to agree explicitly on the terms of their remuneration. Labor Code, 1996 (Law no. 038/PR/96) Art 117; Art 27-29 of the General Collective Agreement, 2002.

                     

                    Maternity Leave

                    Employees shall be entitled to 14 consecutive weeks of paid maternity leave of which 6 weeks shall be prenatal and 8 weeks shall be postnatal leave. The duration of pre-natal and post-natal maternity leave can be extended by 3 weeks in case of medically certified illness.

                     

                    When the delivery takes place after the expected date, the employee may not return to work until after the 8 weeks following the delivery.

                     

                    Pay – The Social Insurance System pays maternity benefits for 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after the expected date of childbirth. The benefit may be extended for up to 3 weeks if there are complications arising from pregnancy or childbirth.

                     

                    Breastfeeding Break – A female employee is entitled to a rest break for breastfeeding after childbirth. These breaks are provided for 15 months after the child is born and the total duration of such breaks must not exceed 1 hour per day. These breaks are paid and considered working time. Labor Code, 1996 (Law no. 038/PR/96) Art 107-114; Art 33 of the General Collective Agreement, 2002.

                     

                    Leave for Family Events

                    Employees shall be granted leave for various family events justified by the presentation of civil status documents or certificates issued by the qualified administrative authorities. These leaves are paid and are not deducted from the annual leave within the limit of 10 days per year. 

                     

                      • Employee’s wedding: 2 days
                      • Marriage of one of the employee’s children, a brother or a sister: 1 day
                      • Death of the spouse or of a descendant in the direct line: 4 days
                      • Childbirth of the employee’s spouse: 1 day

                     

                    In the event of death and childbirth, the employee must inform their employer of the reasons for the absence at the latest within 48 hours of the cessation of work otherwise the days of absence will not be paid.

                     

                    In all other cases, the employee must make the request 48 hours in advance. Art 60(a) of the General Collective Agreement, 2002.

                     

                    Leave for Personal Reasons

                    Unpaid leave for personal reasons may be granted to the employee subject to operational requirements at the workplace. In the event of breach or expiry of the contract, before the employee has acquired the right to the enjoyment of the leave, they shall receive, in place of the leave, an indemnity calculated on the basic salary. Art 60(b) – 61 of the General Collective Agreement, 2002.

                     

                    Leave for Union Activities

                    Employees shall be granted a leave to facilitate the participation in the Statutory Meetings of their trade unions, on presentation of written notice, at least 8 days before the scheduled meeting.

                     

                    However, in the case of force majeure and by agreement of the parties, this notice may not be taken into consideration.

                     

                    The contracting parties shall ensure that these absences do not cause any inconvenience to the normal course of work. These absences will be paid according to the company’s schedule and they will not be deducted from the annual leave and cannot be recovered either. The working time lost will be paid by the employer as working time.

                     

                    Employees called upon to participate in regulatory joint consultative bodies or having to sit as assessors in the labor court must communicate to the employer the summons appointing them as soon as possible after its receipt. These periods of absence will also be paid. They will not be deducted from annual leave and they cannot be recovered. Art 10 of the General Collective Agreement, 2002.

                     

                    Leave for Elected Representatives

                    Employees who are elected representatives shall be entitled to 15 hours per month of paid time off for the performance of their duties. Art 11 of the General Collective Agreement, 2002.

                     

                    Leave for Incarceration

                    The employment contract of an employee placed in preventive detention is suspended for a period of 6 months from the day of detention. If at the end of this period, no final judicial decision has been taken, the employer may terminate the contract.

                     

                    When the employee is sentenced to imprisonment, the employee is considered to have breached their employment contract without the requirement of any compensation. When no sentence of imprisonment is pronounced, the employee finds their job or an equivalent job subject to the loss of confidence justified and assessed by the courts.

                     

                    The employment contract is suspended during the detention of the employer when this event leads to the temporary closure of the company. For the duration of the suspension, the employees can, without this being considered a breach of contract, hire themselves temporarily in another non-competing company. If the duration of suspension is more than 15 days the employment contract may be terminated.

                     

                    When the employer is sentenced to imprisonment, the employees may consider that their contract is terminated on the initiative and by the fault of the employer. This option is also available to employees who have broken their contract after the beginning of the detentions. Labor Code, 1996 (Law no. 038/PR/96) Art 129-132.

                    Military Leave

                    The employee’s employment contract is suspended for the duration of the employee’s military service, as well as during the compulsory periods of mobilization or during military training.

                     

                    In the month following the release, the employee must report to the company. Employees who do not appear within the month following the release are considered to have left the company without the need to be paid any compensation. Labor Code, 1996 (Law no. 038/PR/96) Art 126-128.

                    Disclaimer: The material provided above is for informational purposes only and is subject to change. We endeavor to keep all material up-to-date and correct but make no representations about the information's completeness, accuracy, or reliability. Laws vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change and interpretation based on individual factors that may differ between organizations. The material is not meant to constitute legal advice and we suggest you seek the advice of legal counsel in connection with any of the information presented.