Public Holidays in Algeria for 2019
Algeria is the biggest nation in Africa with varied terrains, and only a few people travel to the Mediterranean port cities. The capital of Algeria is Casbah, where you will find crumbling ruins and renovated spaces that are all worth it to visit. The famous Sahara Desert is what makes Algeria stand out, and it covers most of the country.
Algeria had always been a trading port, and it is one of the busiest in North Africa. Some business owners took advantage of this and decided to set up a business there.
If you are thinking of doing the same, you must be aware of the public holidays in Algeria and what your employees to enjoy them. Also, it would help if you granted them annual leaves based on the law.
Know more about it now.
What Employers Must Know About Algeria Public Holidays
The regular work hours of Algeria employees are 40 hours a week over five days. Employees are entitled to a weekly rest which is usually on a Friday. In Algeria, there are 9 nine public holidays, and employees are entitled to a maximum of 30 days paid leave. This duration has been accumulated over 12 months based on 2.5 days.
The pregnant employees can have 14 days of paid maternity leave, and they must take leave at least one week before delivery. The minimum monthly wage an employee must receive is 18,000 Algerian dinars. An employee must not be paid lower than that. Otherwise, the employer will face legal action.
The employment contract must stipulate when the employee must take their paid leave, which complies with the employee’s request. The employer must have a valid reason why if they prefer it to be on a different day.
Dates of the Algeria Public Holiday 2019
| Date | Day/s | Holiday | Type |
| 1 January | Tuesday | New Year | Public |
| 12 January | Saturday | Berber New Year | Public |
| 20 March | Wednesday | March Equinox | Season |
| 1 May | Wednesday | May Day | Public |
| 4 June | Tuesday | Eid al-Fitr | Public |
| 5 June | Wednesday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Public |
| 21 June | Friday | June Solstice | Season |
| 5 July | Friday | Independence Day | Public |
| 11 August | Sunday | Eid al-Adha | Public |
| 12 August | Monday | Eid al-Adha | Public |
| 1 September | Sunday | Muharram | Public |
| 10 September | Tuesday | Day of Achura | Public |
| 23 September | Monday | September Equinox | Season |
| 1 November | Friday | Anniversary of the Revolution | Public |
| 9 November | Saturday | The Prophet’s Birthday | Public |
| 22 December | Sunday | December Solstice | Season |
Employee Benefits During Public Holidays
The employment contracts in Algeria could be written or oral, but it is ideal to use a written agreement and in Arabic. The contract must stipulate the employee’s compensation, termination, and benefits that are required. The offer letter and employment contract must declare the wage and other amount written in Algerian Dinar instead of a different currency. A template of the employment contract can be used to make it easier and faster to write.
The law in Algeria gives employees a maximum of 30 calendar days of paid leave annually. For employees who work in the provinces, they are given an additional ten days paid annual leave.
If they must take sick leave, they are entitled to 15 days and receive half of their salary. They will receive full salary from 16th day of being sick onwards. The National Fund of Social Security is funding the sick pay and medical expenses reimbursement. It is based on mandatory social contributions.
Doing Business in Algeria
Algeria has a stable political environment, which is rare in North Africa. In addition to that, Algeria does not have debt, and the reserves are estimated to be $200 billion. They have 3-4% economic growth, and it is a young population. Majority of the population are under 30.
The ease of doing business in Algeria has improved in the past years, and they have a conducive business environment that foreign investors find appealing.
The best markets in Algeria are hydrocarbon, information and communications technology, public works, water resources, infrastructure development, and healthcare. If you want to set up a business in Algeria, it would be wise to choose from any of these industries to get you started on the right track. There will be challenges, but that is natural in any business venture you enter.
These are some of the reasons why you must set up a business in Algeria and get started.
