Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa that is bordered by Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. Agriculture represents 32% of its GDP, while the country has also seen an upswing in gold exploration, production, and exports.

The minimum wage in Burkina Faso is XOF 34,664 per month in the formal sector, however other industries (such as agriculture) do not have a set minimum wage. The standard workweek is 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday. Any work exceeding 40 hours is due overtime pay with a maximum number of hours allowed.

Parental Leave

After 3 months at a company, pregnant employees are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, which is usually taken as 8 weeks before the due date (no less than 4 weeks before the due date), and 6 weeks after. Fathers are entitled to 3 days of paid paternity leave. This leave is paid for by the social insurance program.

Sick Leave

Sick leave in Burkina Faso is determined by the length of time at the company. Usually the first month (or few months, depending on the time allowed) will be paid for at 100% salary and the remaining will be at 50% salary. Employers cannot terminate an employee because of absence due to illness for up to 1 year.

• Less than 1 year = 2 months
• 1-5 years = 4 months
• 6-10 years = 5 months
• 11-15 years = 6 months
• 15+ years = 8 months

Paid Leave

There are 18 public holidays in Burkina Faso, and employees are entitled to 22 paid days of paid time off once they have finished 1 year of service at the company. After 20 years at a company, the number of days goes up by 2 for each 5 years worked.

Process

Employers can terminate a fixed term contract for reasons that are business-related, personal, or for employee misconduct. This termination requires a notice and written explanation of the reason. If the reason for termination is misconduct, one written and 2 verbal warnings must be given, and the employee has a chance to explain their actions.

Notice Period

The notice period is dependent on the category of employee/role. The common notice periods are 8 days for part-time contracts, 1 month for full-time employees, and 3 months for managers, technicians, and supervisors.

Severance Pay

Unless the termination is for misconduct, employees who have worked at a company for more than 1 year are entitled to severance pay.

Employers commonly pay out bonuses at the end of the year, but it is not required by law.