Employment contracts in Burkina Faso may be verbal or written, but best practice is to execute a written contract in the local language. Employment contracts should include:

• address of the employee and employer,

• salary,

• payment method (check, bank transfer),

• payment duration,

• benefits,

• sick leave days,

• probation period (if applicable),

• working hours,

• date of commencement (and end date if applicable), and

• time of notice period.

The minimum wage in Burkina Faso is 34,664 XOF a month in the formal sector however other industries/sectors, such as agriculture, do not have a set minimum wage applicable.

The standard workweek in consists of 40 hours 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. Every hour worked in excess of the permitted number of hours per week should be paid as follows:

• 15% for the first 8 hours worked after 40th hour

• 35% for each hour worked after the 48th hour

• 50% for each hour worked during the night on normal days

• 60% for each hour worked on Sundays and holidays

• 120% for each hour worked during the night on Sundays and holidays

Sick pay is determined by the length of employment:

• Up to 1 year of service – two months’ salary (one month 100% second month 50%)

• Between 1-5 years of service – four months’ salary (one month 100% remaining month 50%)

• Between 6-10 years of service – five months’ salary (two months 100% remaining months 50%)

• Between 11-15 years of service – six months’ salary (three months 100% remaining months 50%)

• More than 15 years of service – eight months’ salary (four months 100% remaining months 50%)

Maternity Leave

Following completion of three months service, female employees are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, generally starting eight weeks before the expected due but no later than four weeks before.

The maternity pay is paid by the Burkina Faso social insurance programme together with additional family allowances/benefits.

Paternity Leave

Fathers are generally entitled to 3 days paid paternity leave.

Parental Leave

Parental leave is available for parents of a sick child of up to six months unpaid and with providing one months’ notice.

Employees are entitled to a paid time off once they have completed one year of service, of 22 days annual leave.

After 20 years of service the number of days entitlement increases as follows:

• 2 additional days for 20 years of service

• 4 additional days for 25 years of service

• 6 additional days for 30 years of service

Any unused annual leave must be carried over into the following year up to a maximum period of 45 days. After 45 days have passed, any remaining unused annual leave should be paid out to employees.

There is no other general leave.

Public holidays falling on a weekend are sometimes moved to the following Monday in lieu.

Religious holidays are determined by the lunar cycle and will show as ‘Tentative’ until they are confirmed nearer the date of the holiday.

Date Day Holiday Note
1 Jan 2024 - Monday - New Year
3 Jan 2024 - Wednesday - Burkina Faso Popular Uprising Day
8 Mar 2024 - Friday - International Women’s Day
1 Apr 2024 - Monday - Easter Monday
10 Apr 2024 - Wednesday - Eid al-Fitr
1 May 2024 - Wednesday - Labour Day
9 May 2024 - Thursday - Ascension Day
17 Jun 2024 - Monday - Eid al-Adha - Tentative
5 Aug 2024 - Monday - National Day
15 Aug 2024 - Thursday - Assumption of Mary
16 Sep 2024 - Monday - The Prophet’s Birthday - Tentative
31 Oct 2024 - Thursday - Martyrs’ Day
1 Nov 2024 - Friday - All Saints’ Day
11 Dec 2024 - Wednesday - Proclamation of Independence Day
25 Dec 2024 - Wednesday - Christmas Day

Burkina Faso offers universal healthcare. Although private health insurance is not widely used, employers may offer private healthcare insurance as an employee benefit. Employers and employees typically share the cost of health insurance premiums.

Termination requires notice to be given and a written explanation of the reasons for termination. In the event there is serious misconduct on the part of the employee, no notice will be required before termination and the employee can be terminated immediately. The law does not oblige an employer to give the employee a chance to explain himself. Nevertheless, it is best practice to have a hearing during which the employee may respond to the notice.

An employer cannot terminate the contract of an employee in case of absence from work due to illness for up to 1 year. This period might be extended.

Notice Period

The statutory notice period is dependent upon the category of the worker. 1 month notice is required for regular full time employees. 3 months notice is required for executives, Supervisors, Technicians, and similar staff. 8 days notice is required for daily and hourly set up employees.

Severance Pay

Employees who have worked for at least 1 year are entitled to severance payments upon termination, unless in the case of gross misconduct. The Severance pay amount is determined by the duration of service and is calculated as a percentage of the monthly total compensation per year of service:

25% of monthly wage – 1 to 5 years of service
30% of monthly wage – 5 to 10 years of service
40% of monthly wage – 10+ years of service

Probation Period

The provisions for probationary periods in employment contracts are as follows:
8 days for the workers whose wages are fixed per hour or the day;
One month for employees other than executives;
3 months for executives
The probation period may be renewed once for the same duration. During the probationary period, the contract may be terminated at any time without notice or compensation by any party unless an agreement is made to the contrary.

A work visa is mandatory for foreign employees who need to stay in Burkina Faso for more than 90 days. They will also need a worker card. (This is the work permit obtained by the employer for the employee to work in Burkina Faso). These visas are valid for the entire duration of the employment contract of up to 3 years. It is best to get the work visa and worker card from the nearest Burkina Faso embassy or consulate.

The Standard rate of VAT is 18%.