Definitive Guide to Hiring in Burkina Faso

Hiring in Burkina Faso

Hiring employees compliantly in Burkina Faso means doing it yourself or using an Employer of Record like Global Expansion. You should be careful using independent contractor agreements in Burkina Faso so that you don’t run afoul of employment laws. To hire an employee compliantly and offer them mandatory benefits and compliant agreements, you can:

(a) Establish your own new legal entity, banking, accounting and payroll service in Burkina Faso or

(b) use an Employer of Record like Global Expansion who can handle all of the details for you.

Labor Laws in Burkina Faso

Employment laws in Burkina Faso are uniquely suited to the country’s way of life, and crucial to understand if you want to employ local talent in this country. Get the details on Burkina Faso employment laws and Burkina Faso policies here.

Employee Probation Period

Annual Leave in Burkina Faso

Holidays in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso celebrates fifteen national public holidays as well as additional public holidays that vary by state:

Maternity Leave Burkina Faso

• Female employees are generally entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave. 
• Both the employer and social security pay for the leave.

Paternity Leave Burkina Faso

• Male employees are generally entitled to 3 days of paternity leave

Sick Leave in Burkina Faso

• For less than one year of service, the paid sick leave is two months (one month with full pay and the next month on half pay); 
• For one to five years of service, the paid sick leave is 4 months (one month with full pay and the next month on half pay); 
• For six to ten years of service, the paid sick leave is 5 months (two months with full pay and three months on half pay); 
• For eleven to fifteen years of service, the paid sick leave is 6 months (three months on full pay and three months on half pay); and 
• For more than fifteen years of service, the paid sick leave is 8 months (four months on full pay and four months on half pay)

Working Hours in Burkina Faso

Overtime in Burkina Faso

• Every hour worked beyond the weekly legal limit of hours of work or time equivalent shall be compensated as follows:

• 15% of compensation for each of the first 8 hours worked after the 40th hour, or equivalent time;
• 35% of compensation for each hour worked after the 48th hour, or equivalent time;
• 50% of compensation for each hour worked during the night in ordinary days;
• 60% of compensation for each hour worked on Sundays or Holidays;
• 120% of compensation for each hour worked during the night on Sundays or holidays.

Termination of Employment in Burkina Faso

Notice of termination must be given: 

• 8 days for hourly workers, 
• one month for regular workers, 
• three months for executives, supervisors, technicians, and similar staff.
• Group dismissals require a 30-day notice period.
• Severance pay corresponds to a percentage of the monthly overall wages per year of service and is set according to the length of service as follows: 
  • 25% of one monthly wage for every year during the first 5 years of service; 
  • 30% of one monthly wage for every year during the subsequent 5 years of service; and 
  • 40% of one monthly wage for every year after the tenth year.

Notice Period in Burkina Faso

• Notice of termination must be given: 

• 8 days for hourly workers, 
• one month for regular workers, 
• three months for executives, supervisors, technicians, and similar staff.

• Group dismissals require a 30-day notice period.

Severance in Burkina Faso

• Severance pay corresponds to a percentage of the monthly overall wages per year of service and is set according to the length of service as follows: 

• 25% of one monthly wage for every year during the first 5 years of service; 
• 30% of one monthly wage for every year during the subsequent 5 years of service; and 
• 40% of one monthly wage for every year after the tenth year.

Burkina Faso Salary and Wages

13th/14th Month Salary in Burkina Faso

• No
• There is no statutory requirement to pay the 13th or 14th months salary.
• The employees are entailed to holidays after working for a year, however there is generally no bonus paid.

• Social security contributions are paid on the basis of the salary paid. 
• The employer pays 16%, comprised of a 3.5% occupational accident contribution, a 7% family allowance and a 5.5% old age pension. 
• Employees pay social security contributions for old age pensions at a rate of 5.5%. 
• This contribution is withheld by the employer.

Immigration Burkina Faso

• In Burkina Faso, foreign travelers who wish to enter the country are typically divided into three categories when it comes to visas:
  • Visitors from visa-exempt countries, who can stay in Burkina Faso for up to 90 days without a visa
  • Nationals who are eligible for a visa on arrival, which is then valid for up to 90 days
  • Visitors who do not fall under either of these categories and must go to an embassy or consulate to find a solution
• However, foreign nationals who plan to stay in Burkina Faso for an extended time to work for your company will need a long-stay visa. 
• They will also need a work permit.
• Burkina Faso is somewhat unique in that the country does not have a business visa. 
• If employees need to visit Burkina Faso for a short period of time for business purposes, such as a conference or training seminar, they can do so by obtaining a normal entry visa which will allow them to stay for up to 90 days.
• A long-stay visa is necessary for any foreign nationals who intend to work in Burkina Faso. 
• To obtain the visa, applicants will need to provide:
  • A passport that has at least one blank page and six months of validity after their planned entry to Burkina Faso
  • Two passport photographs
  • Two visa application forms
  • Proof of immunization against yellow fever
• Visas for workers are issued by the Labor Administration. 
• These visas can be granted for the duration of the employment contract, up to a maximum of three years.
• In Burkina Faso, work permits will need to be obtained by the sponsoring employer. 
• The Burkina Faso work permit is also known as a Worker Card.

Value Added Tax (VAT) in Burkina Faso

• VAT is imposed on production activities, the distribution of goods and the provision of services in Burkina Faso. 
• VAT also is applied to imported goods and services
• The standard VAT rate is 18%.

Payments And Invoicing

• The tax year is the calendar year
• Personal income tax returns are due by 30 April following the tax year. 
• An individual whose only taxable income is employment income derived from one employer is not required to file a return unless he/she is eligible for a refund. 
• There is no filing exemption for married couples. 
• Payments of tax relating to a business are due as described above for companies. 
• Tax normally is withheld at source for other sources of income.
• Penalties are charged at a rate of 10%, increased by default interest of 1%, for late tax returns, failure to pay tax due and errors and mistakes.

Payroll Accrual in Burkina Faso

Country Accruals Additional Information

Description

Probationary periods are based on the type of employee, but may not exceed three months. Termination of employment must be made in writing and include the reason for termination. Notice of termination must be given: 8 days for hourly workers, one month for regular workers, three months for executives, supervisors, technicians, and similar staff. If the termination is for anything other than gross negligence, theft, or intentional damage to company property, a severance payment must be made.
Group dismissals require a 30-day notice period.

Payroll Accruals Additional Information

Accrued Benefits in Burkina Faso

Why use Global Expansion to hire in Burkina Faso

Establishing a branch office or subsidiary in Burkina Faso can be time-consuming, expensive and complex. With such a robust labor market in place, one must pay great attention to detail when structuring employment because Burkina Faso labor laws are complex.

The company also has a responsibility to comply with specific employment practices dictated by Burkina Faso law to maintain its good standing as an equal opportunity employer.

Global Expansion makes it easy for you to expand into Burkina Faso. We'll help you hire your candidate of choice, handle HR matters and payroll, and ensure that you comply with local laws without the burden of setting up a foreign branch office or subsidiary. In addition, you'll have complete control and direction over your employees.

We enable you to stay in control of everything. Our Burkina Faso Global Professional Employer Organization (PEO) and Employer of Record (EOR) solution provides you with peace of mind to focus on running your company and the security to enter new markets.