Employment and labor laws vary from country to country. This guide is intended to provide the most up to date information available. We will update this guide as needed when changes are made to the laws.
Employment Contracts
Employers are legally required to provide formal written contracts for all employees that include salary/wage, termination terms, job title, etc. The contracts must be written in French and use the West African CFA Franc (XOF).
Working Hours
The standard workweek consists of 40 hours over a maximum of 6 days per week.
Overtime
All work exceeding the standard working hours a week is to be paid as overtime and is regulated by employment contract/collective agreements. When an employee is requested to work overtime or work on holidays, there is a maximum number of hours allowed, being 100 hours per year. The overtime pay is calculated by multiplying the hourly salary by the following rate:
- Day Hours – Overtime is paid at 110% of the employee’s standard hourly rate for the first eight hours and 135% for additional hours.
- the first eight hours and 135% for additional hours. Night Hours – Night work (between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.) is paid at 150% of the employee’s basic hourly rate or 200% for night work on Sundays or holidays. Night work (between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.) is paid at 150% of the employee’s basic hourly rate or 200% for night work on Sundays or holidays.
- Weekends or public holidays – The rate for work during the day on a weekend or holiday is 150% of the employee’s standard hourly rate.
Public Holidays
There are 14 national holidays in 2022.
For the year 2022:
- Jan 1: New Year’s Day
- Apr 4: Independence Day
- Apr 18: Easter Monday
- May 1: Labor Day
- May 2: Eid al-Fitr
- May 26: Ascension Day
- Jun 6: Whit Monday
- Jul 9: Tabaski
- Aug 8: Ashura
- Aug 15: Assumption Day
- Sep 14: Magal de Touba
- Oct 8: Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
- Nov 1: All Saints’ Day
- Dec 25: Christmas Day
Paid Time Off
Employees are entitled to 24 days of paid annual leave.
Sick Leave
Employees who have completed six months of service within an organization are entitled to 5 days of paid sickness per year.
Maternity Leave
Employees are entitled to 14 weeks of 100% paid maternity leave compensated by Senegal’s social security/government. Maternity leave can begin six weeks before the expected due date and lasts for eight weeks following the birth.
Paternity Leave
Fathers are entitled to 1 day of paid paternity leave for the birth of a child if they are covered by the inter-professional collective agreement.
Other Leave
There is no other leave in Senegal.
Employee Severance and Terminations
Termination Process
Employers can terminate a fix term contract by giving the following reasons – business, personal, or worker misconduct. It requires notice and a written explanation for the termination. If the reason is misconduct, a warning needs to be given, and the employee gets a chance to explain their actions.
Notice Period
The statutory notice period is dependent upon the job role and industry. Employers may terminate employees for just cause with 3 months written notice for executives and 1 month for white-collar workers, blue-collar workers and permanent hourly, daily, or weekly employees.
Employees can terminate a contract with 15 days of written notice, although technicians and supervisors must provide 2 months’ notice.
Severance Pay
Severance pay is determined by the length of employment, with a percentage range of between 25% and 40% based on the average salary, length of service and the collective bargaining agreement in place.
Probation Period
Typically, the probation period is 3 months for executives and 1 month for non-executives.
Payroll Cycle
The payroll cycle in Senegal can be either, hourly, daily, weekly or monthly, with all payments made within 8 days.
13th Salary
The 13th salary in Senegal is customary and generally paid at the end of the year.
Contributions
Employee Income Tax
VISA
Work permits are required for foreign individuals wishing to take up employment and residence in Senegal. The type of required work permit depends on the employee’s qualifications and duration of work. Visas are compulsory for all foreign nationals traveling to Senegal, except nationals from ECOWAS, Mauritania and Morocco.
VAT
The standard rate of VAT in Senegal is 18%.