COUNTRY

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.