Burkina Faso's employment framework is designed to balance operational needs with employee protections. Here's what you need to know:
Employment Types:
Permanent: Indefinite-term contracts (contrat à durée indéterminée) with full statutory benefits.
Fixed-Term: Limited to specific circumstances, cannot exceed two years for local employees and three years for foreign employees, with two renewal possibilities.
Temporary: Short-term assignments; entitled to statutory benefits like leave and overtime.
Probation Periods: Probationary periods vary by employee category: eight days for workers with fixed hourly wages, one month for employees other than managers, supervisors, technicians, and equivalent staff, and three months for managerial and similar positions. These periods can be renewed once for the same duration. The EOR ensures that all probationary terms are compliant with the Labour Code.
Working Hours & Overtime: In Burkina Faso, the standard workweek is 40 hours, typically distributed over five days. Employees must receive a minimum rest period of 24 consecutive hours per week. For eligible employees covered by the Labour Code, overtime is paid at 115% for the first 8 hours worked after the 40th hour per week, 35% of compensation for each hour worked after the 48th hour; 50% of compensation for each hour worked during the night on ordinary workdays, 60% of compensation for each hour worked on Sundays or holidays, and 120% of compensation for each hour worked during the night on Sundays or holidays. The EOR ensures that all overtime is calculated correctly and that employee work hours comply with local regulations.
Leave Entitlements
Leave Type | Eligibility / Duration | Payment / Notes |
|---|
Annual Leave | 2.5 working days per month of service (30 days per year) | Paid by employer |
Maternity Leave | 14 weeks | Paid by social security system (CNSS) and the employer (where applicable) |
Paternity Leave | 3 days | Paid by employer |
Sick Leave | Less than 1 year of service, the paid sick leave is 2 months (1 month with full pay and the next month on half pay) 1 to 5 years of service, the paid sick leave is 4 months (1 month with full pay and the next 3 months on half pay) 6 to 10 years of service, the paid sick leave is 5 months (2 months with full pay and 3 months on half pay) 11 to 15 years of service, the paid sick leave is 6 months (3 months on full pay and 3 months on half pay) More than 15 years of service, the paid sick leave is 8 months (4 months on full pay and 4 months on half pay) | For regular illness or accidents not related to work, the employer pays. If the illness or injury is work-related, CNSS benefits apply. |
Public Holidays | All statutory holidays | Paid; handled by Atlas HXM |
Vacation Leave | As per statutory minimum | Paid; unused accrued leave typically paid out upon termination |
Payroll & Benefits: Wages must meet the minimum wage of XOF 45,000 per month. Atlas HXM manages payroll in XOF, CNSS contributions (employer and employee), statutory benefits, bonuses, and supplemental benefits. Additional benefits can include transportation allowances, meal subsidies, and professional development options.
Atlas HXM can help you manage these aspects and can help ensure that employees are supported and compliant with Burkina Faso's labor laws while businesses can focus on operations without administrative burdens.
