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Hiring in Benin
Benin is a small country in West Africa, bordered by Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Togo. The official language is French, but Fon and Yoruba are also spoken. When negotiating terms of an employment contract and offer letter with an employee in Benin, it may be useful to keep the following in mind.
Employment contracts in Benin
In Benin, fixed-term contracts are allowed for up to 48 months and must be in writing. Indefinite contracts can be oral, but it is best practice to put an employment contract in place in the local language, which spells out the terms of the employee’s compensation, benefits, and termination requirements.
An offer letter and employment contract in Benin should always state the salary and any compensation amounts in West African CFA francs rather than another currency.
Working hours in Benin
Typically, in Benin, work is convened Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Total working hours are generally 40 per week and should not exceed 56 per week.
Workers are limited to a maximum of 240 hours of overtime each year. Overtime compensation is structured as follows:
- 112% of the regular hourly rate for hours worked from the 41st to the 48th hour in a week.
- 135% of the regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond the 48th hour in a week.
Keep in mind that these rates increase for overtime worked during the night, on Sundays, or during holidays.
Holidays in Benin
Benin celebrates 16 national holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Traditional Day
- Easter
- Eastern Monday or Dyngus Day
- Worker’s Day
- Ascension of Jesus
- Whit Monday
- Eid ul-Fitr
- Independence Day
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Eid al-Adha
- Armed Forces Day
- All Saints Day
- National Day
- Mauloud (Birth of the Prophet)
- Christmas Day
Vacation days in Benin
Generally, employees are entitled to 24 paid days of annual leave, with increases at the following rate:
- 2 additional days after 20 years
- 4 additional days after 25 years
- 6 additional days after 30 years
Leave may be split but must be at least 14 days in length. The cumulative duration of the leave may not exceed 30 working days within a year, and the leave must be taken within 12 months of receipt.
Benin sick leave
- If the employee has worked for less than 12 months, they are generally entitled to 1 month paid leave.
- Employees with 1-5 years of service are generally entitled to 3 months at full pay and 3 months at half pay.
- Employees with 5+ years of service are entitled to full pay for 6 months.
Maternity/paternity leave in Benin
Expecting employees are generally eligible for 6 weeks of paid leave before the birth and 8 weeks after the birth. Employers pay for half and social insurance covers the remaining portion.
Fathers are generally entitled to 3 days of paid paternity leave.
Health insurance in Benin
Benin is working toward universal healthcare but currently has a public/private system.
Termination/severance in Benin
A probationary period of up to 3 months is allowed.
Employers may terminate a worker for a valid reason, including:
- Worker health
- Inability to hold employment
- Competence or conduct
- Changes in the organization or technology
- Economic hardship or company closure
If the employer dismisses the employee on personal grounds, the employer must notify the employee in writing and include the reasons for termination. The labor inspector must also be notified in writing. Notice periods are as follows:
- Hourly employees are entitled to 15 days’ notice.
- Employees, workers, and laborers are entitled to 1 month of notice.
- Supervisors and executives are entitled to 3 months’ notice.
Employees on notice may spend 2 days per week looking for a new job.
Employees are also entitled to severance pay. The amount depends on the length of service:
- First 5 years of employment: 30% of average monthly salary
- 6-10 years of service: 35% of average monthly salary
- 10+ years of service: 40% of average monthly salary
An employee terminated for gross negligence is generally not entitled to severance pay.
Paying taxes in Benin
Employees contribute 3.6% of salary to social security.
Employers contribute 15.4% of gross salary to social security, 6.4% for pension, and 9% for family allowance, plus an additional 1%-4% for industrial injury assistance.
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