Payroll and Benefits Guide Zambia

Employer

Employer Payroll Contributions

Employee

Employee Payroll Contributions

Employee Income Tax

Payroll Cycle

Monthly

Workweek

8 hours per day, up to 48 hours per week

Overtime

Additional working hours are paid at a rate of 150% salary.

Paid Time Off

In Zambia, annual leave is 24 working days. Two days per month are accrued.

Public Holidays

There are 15 public holidays. Public holidays which fall on a Sunday are moved the next Monday.

Sick Leave

Sick leave is paid by the employer. The first 3 months of absence are paid in full, followed by 3 months of half pay.

A medical certificate must be provided from the second day onwards.

Maternity Leave

Mothers are entitled to 14 weeks of maternity leave. An additional 4 weeks is given in the event of multiple births. Women who have been employed with the same employer for 24 months are entitled to full pay from the Employer during this period. Following the maternity leave, the worker has the right to return to her prior job position or to a reasonably suitable alternative job role as long as the conditions are no less favorable.

After returning to work, the worker is entitled to 2 nursing breaks per day of 30 minutes each, or one break for 60 mins included within the regular daily working hours.

Paternity Leave

Fathers are entitled to 5 continuous working days, paid at full salary by the employer. Eligibility is for those employed with the same employer for at least 12 months before birth. The leave should be used within seven days of the birth.

Parental Leave

Family Responsibility Leave can be used by workers with at least six months of service, allowing up to 7 days with pay to be taken off each calendar year to care for a sick spouse, child, or dependent.

Other Leave

Compassionate Leave- 12 days,  fully paid by the Employer for bereavement. Could be required in other situations as well.

Termination Process

A worker’s contract may not be terminated due to poor performance or conduct without first giving the employee an opportunity to be heard.

Probation

The Probation period is 3 months, following this, the probation can be extended by a further 3 months.

Notice Period

30 days’ notice must be given in writing or payment in lieu of notice can be used.

Severance

In cases of termination of employment of a worker with a contract of a fixed duration,  25% of the employee’s basic pay earned during the contract period must be paid.

In cases of termination of employment due to redundancy = 2 months’ basic pay for each completed year of service must be paid.