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Hiring in Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire is located in West Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The official language is French, but more than 77 other languages are spoken in the country. Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s largest producer of cocoa, accounting for 30% of the world’s production. Other major exports include crude oil, coffee, palm oil, and timber.
When negotiating terms of an employment contract and offer letter with an employee in Côte d’Ivoire, it may be useful to keep the following in mind.
Employment contracts in Côte d’Ivoire
Employment contracts in Côte d’Ivoire can either be fixed term or indefinite. While both verbal and written agreements are allowed, fixed-term contracts must be in writing. Otherwise, they will be considered as indefinite-term contracts. Fixed-term contracts can be renewed without limits for up to 2 years.
It’s best practice to put a strong, written employment contract in place in Côte d’Ivoire, 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 Côte d’Ivoire should always state the salary and any compensation amounts in West African CFA francs rather than another currency.
Probation periods are allowed in Côte d’Ivoire, but the duration is based on the payment cycle and type of worker:
- 8 days for daily or hourly-paid workers
- 1 month for monthly-paid workers
- 2 months for supervisors, technicians, and similar workers
- 3 months for engineers, managers, high-level technicians, and similar workers
The probation period can only be extended once, and the employee must be notified in writing as follows:
- 2 days before the end of the 8-day period
- 8 days before the end for a 1-month probation
- 15 days before the end of a 2–3-month probation
Working hours in Côte d’Ivoire
In general, Côte d’Ivoire has a 40-hour work week, typically arranged as 8-hour days, 5 days a week.
Employees are entitled to overtime pay for any hours worked in excess of the legal maximum.
Overtime pay is calculated as follows:
- 115% for hours worked between the 41st and 48th hour
- 150% for hours worked after the 48th hour
- 175% for hours worked at night, as well as during the day on Sundays and public holidays
- 200% for hours worked at night on Sundays and public holidays
Holidays in Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire celebrates 14 public holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Easter Monday
- Labor Day
- Ascension Day
- Whit Monday
- Laila tou-Kadr
- Aid el-Fitr
- Independence Day
- Assumption of Mary
- Aid el-Kebir
- All Saints Day
- National Peace Day
- The Prophet’s Birthday
- Christmas Day
Vacation days in Côte d’Ivoire
After 1 year of employment, employees are generally entitled to 26 days of paid annual leave. This increases to 27 days after 5 years of service.
Côte d’Ivoire sick leave
Employees are eligible for at least 5 days of paid sick leave.
Maternity/paternity leave in Côte d’Ivoire
Expecting employees are generally entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave.
Health insurance in Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire began enrolling citizens in a universal healthcare system in February of 2015. The program’s goal is to charge all citizens ages 5 and over CFA 1,000 per month for low-cost treatment.
Termination/severance in Côte d’Ivoire
Fixed-term contracts can only be terminated prior to the agreed term by force majeure, mutual agreement, or serious misconduct by either party.
Indefinite contracts may be terminated by the employee after 6 months of service.
Employers may terminate an indefinite contract at any time with a valid reason. The employer must notify the employee in writing and follow the notice periods outlined in the employment law which vary by pay level and occupation.
Employees are generally eligible for severance as follows:
- Up to 5 years of service: 30% of monthly wage
- 6-10 years of service: 35% of monthly wage
- 10+ years of service: 40% of monthly wage
Paying taxes in Côte d’Ivoire
Employees pay a salary tax of 1.5% on 80% of their gross income. They also pay a progressive national contribution tax on 80% of their salary. Employers are required to make social security contributions to several funds at the following rates:
- Family allowance: 5.75%
- Work injury: 2% – 5%
- Pension: 7.7%
Why G-P?
At G-P, we help companies unlock the power of the everywhere workforce through our industry-leading Global Growth Platform™. Let us handle the complex and costly tasks involved in finding, hiring, onboarding, and paying your team members, anywhere in the world, with the speed and guaranteed global compliance your business needs.
Contact us today to learn more.