In Zambia, an employee is entitled to a minimum of two days of annual leave per month [Employment Code Act, S.36]. This means that over a twelve-month period, a regular employee accrues at least 24 days of paid annual leave. This entitlement applies to all employees except temporary and casual workers, provided they have completed twelve consecutive months of continuous employment with the same employer.
The annual leave is granted on full pay [Employment Code Act, S.36]. Importantly, this leave is separate from public holidays and weekly rest periods, which you receive in addition to your annual leave [Employment Code Act, S.36].
Your employer must prepare an annual leave plan in consultation with you at the beginning of each year to specify when your leave will be taken [Employment Code Act, S.36]. This ensures there is clarity about the timing of your leave so that business operations can be planned accordingly.