COUNTRY

Tanzania

This content is for informational purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this content. It is not legal advice and shall not be relied on as such.

header image for Tanzania

Flag

Currency

TSh (TZS)

Work Hours

45/week

The United Republic of Tanzania is in eastern Africa. Tanzania is mountainous and densely forested in the northeast, which is also home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Tanzania’s capital is Dodoma, although Dar Es Salaam is the former capital and the largest city in eastern Africa. The main exports are gold, coffee, nuts, cotton and other agricultural products. The U.S. has two trade agreements with East Africa: the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Tanzania is a party to both.

Employment contracts in Tanzania can be written or verbal, but a written employment contract that details the terms and conditions of employment is recommended. A written employment contract should include:

  • names of the employer and employee,

  • place of employment or where the work will be performed,

  • description of the duties to be performed,

  • start date,

  • duration of the contract (if for a fixed-term),

  • hours and days of work,

  • salary, and

  • vacation and other leave entitlements.

The standard work period in Tanzania is 45 hours per week with nine hours a day over six days. Overtime is allowed only through an individual or collective agreement and cannot exceed 50 hours in a four-week period. Employees cannot work more than 12 hours in a day (regular work and overtime). The rate for overtime work is one and one half of the employee’s basic wage and double the wage for work during a public holiday.

Employees are entitled to 126 days of sick leave a year in Tanzania. Employees receive their full pay for the first 63 days of leave and 50% for the remainder.

Every 36 months, female employees receive 84 days of paid maternity leave in Tanzania, or 100 days of paid maternity leave if she gives birth to two or more children. Male employees receive three days of paternity leave in Tanzania.

There are no statutory bonuses in Tanzania, although employees may receive a performance bonus or an annual bonus through an individual or collective agreement.

Employees receive 28 vacation days per year in Tanzania. Annual leave must be taken within six months of the leave cycle or within 12 months of the leave cycle if necessary for the operation of the business and the employee consents.

In Tanzania, the public holidays are:

  • New Year's Day

  • Zanzibar Revolution Day

  • Karume Day

  • Good Friday

  • Easter Monday

  • Union Day

  • Worker's Day

  • Eid el Fitri

  • Saba Saba

  • Eid al-Adha

  • Farmers' Day

  • Maulid

  • Mwalimu Nyerere Day

  • Independence Day

  • Christmas Day

  • Boxing Day

Public healthcare is available in Tanzania but private healthcare is recommended.

In Tanzania, the employment contract may be terminated at the end of the contract by consent of the parties, the employer or employee. An employer must have a valid reason to terminate an employment contract. Valid reasons include employee misconduct, incapacity, incompatibility, and business requirements. Employers must provide the employee with notice of the termination in advance. The notice period is between four and 28 days. Severance pay is at least seven days’ basic wage for each completed year of work up to a maximum of 10 years.

  • Local Laws & Regulations

    We understand that local laws and regulations change and sourcing an accurate reference guide is not easy. Our data is researched and verified by our team of local international Employment Attorneys, HR and Benefit Professionals and Tax Accountants through our Atlas team and consultants, to ensure information up-to-date and accurate.

  • Partner with atlas logo

    Partnering with Atlas when expanding into Tanzania can dramatically reduce the standard brick and mortar processes of doing business in foreign markets and allow you to focus on what you do best, growing your company! To discover more about how Atlas can simplify your ability to expand globally, please feel free to contact us.

We’d love to hear from you!

Our team of regional experts are here to support you with your global expansion plans. If you have any questions, just get in touch and we will be delighted to help.

An image of a group of women and men working together