Fon, Bariba, Yoruba and Dendi

GMT+1

Undoubtedly, payroll is a critical aspect of any organization. The Pay cycle is a notable feature of it that provides a sense of accountability for an employee to be paid consistently for their work.

In Benin, the payroll cycle for employees can be daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

In Benin, there is no statutory requirement to pay a 13th or 14th month salary to employees. Instead, holidays are taken within twelve months, and the decision regarding the length of holidays is made by the employer. This practice contrasts with many other countries where a 13th month is a common benefit.

The current minimum wage in Benin is F CFA52,000 per month.

Workers may not work more than 240 hours of overtime per year.  

Overtime is paid at:

• 112% of the normal hourly rate for the 41st to the 48th hour per week.
• 135% of the normal hourly rate beyond the 48th hour per week.

In Benin, the specific duration for which an employer can keep an employee's data is not explicitly mentioned. 

Data retention policies are regulated by the law, specifically by the "Loi n° 2019-1093 du 19 décembre 2019 portant régime juridique des fichiers informatisés et des bases de données" (Law No. 2019-1093 of December 19, 2019, concerning the legal regime of informatized files and databases). This law aims to protect the privacy of individuals and the confidentiality of data, ensuring that the handling of personal data is in compliance with the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality.

Benin's employment law is governed by the Labor Code of 1998, which outlines the legal framework for hiring and employment practices within the country. 

The essential aspects of employment law in Benin, include working hours, wages, leave policies, and health benefits. Compliance with these laws is crucial for businesses looking to employ talent in Benin.

The specific onboarding documents required for employees in Benin may vary depending on the employer and the industry. However, some of the most common onboarding documents include:

• Name 
• Address 
• Contact information
• Emergency contact information
• Proof of Identity
• Educational Documents

Probation period is up to 3 months.

The statutory public holidays in Benin for the year 2024 are as follows:

• 1 January - New Year
• 10 January - Vodoun Festival
• 1 April - Easter Monday
• 10 April - Korité (Tentative Date)
• 1 May - Labour Day
• 9 May - Ascension Day
• 20 May - Whit Monday
• 17 June - Tabaski (Tentative Date)
• 1 August - Independence Day
• 15 August - Assumption of Mary
• 16 September - Maouloud (Tentative Date)
• 1 November - All Saints' Day
• 25 December - Christmas Day

Generally, employees are entitled to 24 paid days of annual leave, with increases at the following rate

• after 20 years, and additional 2 days
• after 25 years, an additional 4 days
• after 30 years, an additional 6 days.

• Employees with less than 2 years of service are generally entitled to 6 months’ sick leave.
• Employees with 2+ years of service are generally entitled to 12 months’ sick leave.
• Employees with 1-5 years’ service are generally entitled to three months at full pay and three months at half pay.
• Employees with 5+ years of service are entitled to full pay for 6 months.

Female employees are generally eligible for 6 weeks of paid leave before the birth and 8 weeks after the birth, with the employer paying for half and social insurance the balance.

Fathers are generally entitled to 3 days of paid paternity leave.

Employers may terminate a worker for a valid reason, including

• Worker health
• Inability to hold employment
• Competence or conduct
• Changes in the organization or technology
• Economic hardship, or closure of the company

If the employer dismisses the employee on personal grounds, the employer must notify the employee in writing and include the reasons for termination. 

The labor inspector must also be notified in writing.

• Hourly employees are entitled to 15 days’ notice.
• Employees, workers, and laborers are entitled to one month of notice.
• Supervisors and executives are entitled to 3 months’ notice.

The amount of severance pay depends on the length of service:

• First 5 years of employment–30% of average monthly salary
• 6-10 years of service–35% of average monthly salary
• 10+ years of service–40% of average monthly salary

Benin has three overarching types of visas:

• Business
• Tourist
• Transient

The requirements differ between types, but most of your employees will need to obtain a business visa and work permit to stay compliant. 

Most visas are valid for either 30 or 90 days. Foreigners must apply before entering Benin, as they cannot obtain visas upon arrival.

The requirements to obtain a working visa in Benin depend on the type of visa employees need and whether they want a single- or multi-entry option. 

Some of the documents they must provide include:

• A passport-style photo
• A scanned copy of the passport
• A copy of their flight itinerary
• Proof of yellow fever vaccination
• A business letter from your company
• A completed visa application form

Once employees obtain work visas, they’ll need to also get work permits. Employers handle the application process on behalf of employees. 

The process for obtaining a work permit is as follows: 

• An expatriate quota approval
• A Subject to Regularization (STR)
• A Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC)

Below are types of background check for Benin:

• Employment Verification
• Identity Verification
• Education Verification
• Medical Examinations
• Criminal Record Checks
• Education and Employment Verification
• Professional License Verification
• Financial Checks