Kituba, Lingala, Monokutuba

West Africa Time Zone (UTC+1)

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

The frequency cycle in Congo is Monthly.

13th, 14th, or 15th-month salary is not commonly practiced in Republic of the Congo. However, some employers may offer end-of-year bonuses or additional payments during the holiday season, but this varies across organizations.

Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) does not have a legally mandated national minimum wage.

Every hour considered overtime on the terms of the preceding articles, entitles the worker to the following compensation:

• 30% increase for the first 6 hours after the legal working time limit;
• 60% increase for subsequent hours;
• 100% increase for overtime work performed on weekly rest day.

Law No. 29-2019 on the Protection of Personal Data is indeed the primary data protection legislation in Republic of the Congo. It was enacted in 2019 and outlines the framework for protecting personal data within the country.

Congo-Brazzaville has a comprehensive Labor Code that regulates employment relationships, wages, working conditions, and termination procedures. It sets out the rights and obligations of both employers and employees.

The Labor Code prohibits discrimination in hiring based on factors such as race, color, sex, religion, political opinion, or social origin.

In Congo, when hiring new employees, there are several key documents that are typically required as part of the onboarding process. Here is a list of common onboarding documents for employees in Congo:

• Name 
• Address 
• Contact information
• Emergency contact information
• Proof of Identity
• Proof of Qualifications
• Identity and Work Permit Documentation
• Employment Contract

• 15 days maximum for contracts whose duration is less than or equal to six months
• 1 month for other cases
• It can only be for a maximum period of 6 months, including renewals.

The below dates can be modified if there are any changes in the gazette.

• 1 January - New Year
• 1 April - Easter Monday
• 1 May - Labour Day
• 9 May - Ascension Day
• 20 May - Whit Monday
• 10 June - Reconciliation Day
• 15 August - Independence Day
• 1 November - All Saints' Day
• 28 November - Republic Day
• 25 December - Christmas Day

Employees are entitled to 26 working days of annual leave. This allows them to take a break from work, relax, and recharge.

Employees are entitled to unpaid sick leave if they provide a valid medical certificate from an approved physician. The duration of sick leave is limited to six months.

Female employees are entitled to 15 consecutive weeks of maternity leave. This allows mothers time to recover from childbirth and bond with their new child.

Employees who become fathers of a newborn child are entitled to 2 mandatory days of paid paternity leave.c.

Depending on the specific employment contract or labor laws in the Republic of Congo, employees may also be eligible for other types of leave, such as parental leave, compassionate leave, or study leave. These leave types may be paid or unpaid and typically require prior approval from the employer.

Unless the parties or the collective agreement stipulate a longer period, the notice period is equal to 14 working days as from the day after the notification, where the notice is given by the employer. 

This period is increased by seven working days per full year of continuous service, counted from date to date.

There is no statutory severance pay in Congo-Brazzaville.

Foreigners who have expired visas, who want to enter the country for the first time, or who have visas that were canceled when they left the country, must apply for 15-day visas at a Congolese embassy or consulate before entering Republic of the Congo. 

During this 15-day period, the foreigner can apply for a three-month visa. 

This visa may be obtained from the General Director of Immigration in Brazzaville or from the department director of immigration in Pointe-Noire. 

To obtain a three-month visa, an applicant must submit the following documents:

• Receipt for the temporary work permit
• Valid passport 
• Four identity pictures 
• Employer testimony

A nonresident also needs a temporary work permit to work legally in Congo-Brazzaville. 

To obtain a temporary work permit, the applicant must submit the following documents:

• Valid passport 
• Two identity pictures 
• Copy of the entry visa 
• An information form 
• A job analysis 

For workers, an attestation of employment or an acknowledgement of receipt of the request for employment must be added to the permit application file.

Here are some key aspects of legal and background checks in Congo:

• Identity and Work Permit Verification
• Identity Verification
• Education and Qualification Verification
• Employment History and Reference Checks
• Health Examinations