Leave Policy in Bangladesh

Building a Team in Bangladesh? We Can Help

Quick Summary: Leave Entitlements in Bangladesh

• Annual Leave: 1 day for every 18 days worked
• Sick Leave: 14 days paid per year (medical certificate required)
• Casual Leave: 10 days paid per year
• Maternity Leave: 16 weeks paid (8 weeks before and 8 weeks after childbirth)
• Paternity Leave: No statutory entitlement
• Public Holidays: 11 paid holidays out of 21 national holidays

Bangladesh, a rapidly growing economy, mandates compliance with its Labour Act of 2006, updated in 2018. The legislation covers several areas of employment, including:

• Recruitment and employer-employee relationships
• Pay and perks
• Safety regulations
• Collective bargaining
• Conflict resolution

It also expands workers' rights, including financial incentives for new mothers and freedom of association.

Employers looking to hire employees from Bangladesh, whether through an Employer of Record (EOR) in Bangladesh or other means, must be well-versed in these regulations. Adhering to leave policies is crucial, including annual leave, sick leave, maternity and paternity leave, and public holidays. Understanding and complying with these policies ensures a balanced work-life environment for employees and helps employers maintain a harmonious and legally compliant workplace.

Annual Leave (Paid Time Off)

In Bangladesh, employees are entitled to one day of annual leave for every 18 days worked within a calendar year. Note that some industries may calculate leave entitlements differently.

Leave Entitlements at a Glance

Public Holidays in Bangladesh

Bangladesh designates 21 national holidays each year, but employees are entitled to take only 11 of these days as paid holidays, with employers selecting which holidays to observe. Public holidays falling on weekends are not compensated. Certain religious holidays, determined by the lunar cycle, will be confirmed closer to their dates

Sick Leave

Employees in Bangladesh are typically entitled to 14 days of paid sick leave annually. This leave is non-transferable and must be utilized within the year. A medical certificate is required for any absence to qualify for sick leave and the associated pay.

Casual Leave

Employees in Bangladesh can avail of up to 10 days of paid casual leave per year for urgent matters such as sudden illness, minor accidents, or personal emergencies. This leave is non-cumulative and cannot be carried over to the next year if unused.

Maternity Leave

Female employees in Bangladesh who have been with the company for at least six months are eligible for 16 weeks of paid maternity leave eight weeks before and eight weeks after childbirth. Those with less than six months of service or more than two surviving children generally receive unpaid leave. Women are prohibited from working for eight weeks following childbirth. Additionally, women who suffer a miscarriage before starting maternity leave are entitled to four weeks of paid leave without wage deductions.

Let's say, for instance, Ayesha, having worked for over a year, gets 16 weeks of paid leave. In contrast, Fatima, with only 5 months of service, receives unpaid leave. Additionally, if Ayesha suffers a miscarriage before her leave, she gets 4 weeks of paid leave.

Paternity Leave

Bangladesh's Labour Act does not include a statutory provision for paternity leave. Fathers have no legally guaranteed time off following the birth of a child.

However, paternity leave is becoming a common voluntary benefit among employers, particularly in the technology, financial services, and multinational sectors. Companies that offer it typically provide between 3 and 10 days of paid leave, with some global employers extending up to two weeks to align with international standards.

For employers building competitive benefits packages in Bangladesh, voluntary paternity leave can support retention and signal alignment with modern workforce expectations. It is worth defining the duration, eligibility, and pay terms clearly in the employment contract to avoid ambiguity.

Parental Leave

There is currently no provision for parental leave in Bangladesh.

Other Leave

Bangladesh does not have statutory provisions for other types of leave.

Hassle-Free Leave Policy Management in Bangladesh with Gloroots

Our global HR platform at Gloroots simplifies the process of hiring contractors or full-time employees in over 160 countries, eliminating the hassle of setting up a local legal entity. We provide a unified platform for quick onboarding and secure administration of benefits of EOR. With Gloroots, you can confidently handle payroll management and comply with complex employment laws, allowing us to manage all HR complexities for you.

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