Legal Working Hours in Mali
Weekly Working Time
The Malian Labor Code (Law No. 92-020 of September 23, 1992) sets the legal working time at 40 hours per week for all sectors of activity. This duration can be distributed over 5 or 6 days according to company needs and collective agreements.
Standard daily distribution includes:
- 8 hours per day over 5 days (Monday to Friday)
- 6h40 per day over 6 days (including Saturday morning)
- Mandatory lunch break of at least 1 hour
Specific Working Hours
Certain sectors benefit from particular provisions:
- Civil service: 35 hours per week (to be verified according to latest decrees)
- Night work: Between 10 PM and 6 AM, reduced duration and mandatory premiums
- Mining sector: Adapted hours according to specific collective agreements
Overtime and Premium Rates
Definition and Thresholds
Any work performed beyond 40 hours per week or 8 hours per day constitutes overtime. Recourse to overtime requires employee agreement and must respect legal limits.
Premium Rates
Overtime hours are compensated with the following premiums:
- From 41st to 48th hour: 15% premium on hourly wage
- Beyond the 48th hour: 35% premium on hourly wage
- Sunday work: 35% premium
- Night work: 50% premium
Legal Limits
- Maximum 120 overtime hours per year
- Daily duration cannot exceed 12 hours
- Mandatory rest of 24 consecutive hours per week
Paid Leave
Annual Leave Duration
The right to paid leave is acquired after 12 months of continuous service with the same employer. Leave duration is calculated at the rate of:
- 2.5 working days per month of service
- Thus 30 working days per year (6 weeks)
- Additional leave for seniority: +1 day per 5-year period (to be verified)
Leave Period and Taking
Leave-taking procedures are regulated:
- Reference period: From May 1st to April 30th of the following year
- Taking period: Between May 1st and October 31st
- Splitting possible with employer agreement
- A continuous period of at least 15 days must be granted
Leave Allowance
Paid leave allowance corresponds to 1/12th of total compensation received during the reference period, including:
- Base salary
- Contractual bonuses and gratuities
- Evaluated benefits in kind
- Overtime hours
Legal Public Holidays
Fixed Public Holidays in Mali
Mali recognizes several public holidays that are non-working and paid:
- January 1st: New Year
- January 20th: Army Day
- March 26th: Democracy Day
- May 1st: Labor Day
- May 25th: Africa Day
- September 22nd: Independence Day
- December 25th: Christmas
Variable Public Holidays
Muslim religious holidays are also observed (variable dates according to lunar calendar):
- Eid al-Fitr: End of Ramadan (2 days)
- Eid al-Adha: Feast of Sacrifice (2 days)
- Mawlid: Prophet's Birthday (1 day)
Public Holiday Compensation
Legal public holidays are non-working and paid for all employees. In case of exceptional work on a public holiday:
- Normal compensation + 100% premium
- Or compensatory rest day + normal compensation
Special Leave
Family Leave
The Labor Code provides for leave for family events:
- Employee's marriage: 3 days
- Birth or adoption: 3 days
- Death of spouse or child: 3 days
- Death of parents: 2 days
- Child's marriage: 2 days
Maternity Leave
Female employees benefit from 14 weeks maternity leave:
- 6 weeks before delivery (prenatal)
- 8 weeks after delivery (postnatal)
- Compensation by National Social Security Fund (CNSS)
Sick Leave
In case of sick leave justified by medical certificate:
- First month: Full salary maintenance
- Second month: 50% of salary
- Beyond: Social security benefits only
- Maximum job retention period: 6 months
Special Provisions
Women's Work
Specific protections apply:
- Prohibition of night work (10 PM-6 AM) except sectoral exemptions
- Prohibition of certain dangerous work
- Right to breastfeeding breaks
Youth Employment
For workers under 18 years old:
- Maximum duration: 35 hours per week
- Prohibition of night work
- Enhanced leave of 10 additional days
Note: This information is based on the Malian Labor Code. It is recommended to verify the latest legislative modifications and collective agreements applicable to your sector of activity.