🇪🇹 Leave and Benefits in
Ethiopia
Statutory leave entitlements and mandatory benefits for employers in Ethiopia — annual leave, sick leave, maternity, paternity and public holidays.
Leave Entitlements at a Glance — Ethiopia
Annual Leave
16 days
Sick Leave
180 days
Maternity Leave
120 weeks
Paternity Leave
3 weeks
Public Holidays
13 days
13th Month Pay
Not required
Statutory Leave Types
| Leave Type | Entitlement | Paid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| annual | 16 days | Yes | 10000% pay |
| sick | 180 days | Yes | — |
| maternity | 120 days | Yes | 10000% pay |
| paternity | 3 days | Yes | 10000% pay |
| parental | — | No | — |
Public Holidays — Ethiopia 2026
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Ethiopian Christmas | 7 Jan 2026 |
| Timkat | 19 Jan 2026 |
| Victory of Adwa | 2 Mar 2026 |
| Ethiopian Good Friday | 17 Apr 2026 |
| Ethiopian Easter | 19 Apr 2026 |
| Labour Day | 1 May 2026 |
| Patriots' Victory Day | 5 May 2026 |
| Derg Downfall Day | 28 May 2026 |
| Eid al-Fitr | 8 Jul 2026 |
| Ethiopian New Year | 11 Sept 2026 |
| Eid al-Adha | 15 Sept 2026 |
| Meskel | 27 Sept 2026 |
| Mawlid an-Nabi | 26 Nov 2026 |
Mandatory Employer Benefits — Ethiopia
Legally required employer contributions and benefits under Ethiopia law.
| Benefit | Type | Employer Cost | Frequency | Tax Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Civil Servants Pension (Public Sector) For government employees, the employer contributes 11% to the Public Servants Social Security Fund. Employee contributes 7%. | Cash | 11% | monthly | Exempt |
Private Organisation Employees Pension Employer contributes 11% of basic salary to the Private Organisation Employees Social Security Agency (POESSA). Employee contributes 7%. Covers pension and disability. | Cash | 11% | monthly | Exempt |
EOR Intelligence
Manage leave compliance in Ethiopia via EOR.
An Employer of Record administers all statutory leave and benefits on your behalf.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Leave entitlements in Ethiopia are subject to change. Always consult a qualified local employment lawyer.
About This Guide
- \u2713 Sourced from official government publications
- \u2713 Updated monthly — always current rules
- \u2713 For guidance only — not legal advice
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