Employment and labor laws vary from country to country. This guide is intended to provide the most up to date information available. We will update this guide as needed when changes are made to the laws.
Employment Contracts
Employers are legally required to provide formal written contracts for all employees that include salary/wage, termination terms, job title, etc. The contracts must be written in Arabic and use the Algerian Dinar currency (DZD).
Working Hours
The standard workweek in Algeria consists of a maximum of 40 hours per week (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). The working week typically runs from Sunday to Thursday, as Friday is the statutory day of rest each week.
Overtime
All work above the standard weekly working hours is to be paid as overtime and is regulated by employment contract/collective agreements and may only be requested by the employer in exceptional circumstances. Overtime hours must not exceed 8 hour per week and no more than a total of 12 hours per day. Where an employee is required to work additional hours, they are entitled to overtime pay, of a minimum of 150% of the normal hourly rate.
Working Week
Sunday-Thursday
Public Holidays
There are 12 National Holidays in 2022.
For the year 2022:
- Jan 1: New Year’s Day
- Jan 12: Amazigh New Year
- May 1: Labour Day
- May 2: Eid al-Fitr
- May 3: SEid al-Fitr Holiday
- Jul 5: Independence Day
- Jul 9: Eid al-Adha
- Jul 10: Eid al-Adha Holiday
- Jul 30: Islamic New Year
- Aug 8: Ashura
- Oct 8: Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
- Nov 1: Revolution Day
Paid Time Off
The Algerian Labor Law entitles employees to 30 days paid annual leave accumulated over 12 months, with the exception of those employees working in the Southern provinces, who are entitled to 40 days paid annual leave.
Sick Leave
Employees are entitled to 15 days paid sick leave at half salary from their first day of sick leave, and full salary from the 16th day of sickness onwards or should the employee be admitted to hospital prior to the 16th day. Sick pay and the reimbursement of medical expenses are funded by the National Fund of Social Security, based on the mandatory social contributions paid by the employer and the employee.
Maternity and Paternity
Maternity Leave
Pregnant women are entitled to maternity pay of 100% of their average regular salary (based on average for their position) for a maximum of 14 weeks and the employee must stop working at the latest one week before confinement.
To receive these payments, a registered doctor or qualified professional must have assisted at the birth.
Employees within their first six months of employment are entitled if they have worked at least 9 days or 60 hours during the three preceding months; or 36 days or 240 hours during the 12 preceding months.
Paternity Leave
Fathers are entitled to 3 days paid paternity (emergency) leave for the birth of a child.
Parental Leave
Female employees are entitled to take part-time paid parental leave for up to 18 weeks, where they will receive 50% of maternity benefits and 50% of their regular salary.
Other Leave
An employee can take a maximum of 30 calendar days’ paid leave to perform Hajj, once in their employment.
Bereavement Leave
In the event of the death of an immediate family member, an employee is entitled to two days’ leave.
3 days of paid leave for the Marriage of the employee (or their dependent)
3 days of paid leave for bereavement
Employee Severance and Terminations
Termination Process
Employers must provide notice of dismissal absence and serious misconduct to the employee. Employees should receive a form of compensation if:
- They have worked for the company for at least two years.
- If they are terminated for reasons other than misconduct.
Notice Period
The statutory notice period is 6 months (increased to 12 months for skilled employees), plus five days for each year of service up to a maximum of 30 days.
Severance Pay
Under the Algerian Labor Law and Legislative Decree No. 94-09 dated 26 May 1994 (the Algerian Redundancy Law), an employer may terminate employment on redundancy grounds only if economic reasons justify such a measure and once all alternatives aimed at avoiding redundancy have been exhausted. A redundancy is subject to a mandatory procedure, decided after collective bargaining, involving the local labour administration.
The Severance Pay in Algeria depends on the Duration of Employment, as below:
- Mandatory -1 month
- Collective Agreement – 1 month
- Minimum Employment Period – 12 months
Probation Period
The general probation period in Algeria is 6 months.
During the probation period, the employment can be terminated by either the employer or employee with five days of notice.
Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Algeria is 20,000 DZD per month.
Payroll Cycle
The payroll cycle in Albania is generally a monthly cycle, with wages paid by the last working day of each month. However, hourly, weekly, and daily paid employees are paid every two weeks.
13th Salary
There is no requirement for a 13th-month salary payment.
Employee Income Tax
Payroll Contributions
VISA
Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Algeria and there are essentially three main types of visas: tourist, business, and work. While there are Algerian embassies in most major capitals around the world, there are not many consulates.
The work visa is more complex and needs documents from the Algerian Ministry of Labour, including the work contract and a work permit. Unfortunately, the work visa application can be a lengthy process.
VAT
The Standard rate of VAT in Algeria is 19%.