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Hiring in Burundi

Hiring employees compliantly in Burundi means doing it yourself or using an Employer of Record like Global Expansion. You should be careful using independent contractor agreements in Burundi 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 Burundi or

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

Need assistance hiring in Burundi? Contact us about our International EOR Service

Labor Laws in Burundi

Employee Probation Period

  • Probationary period cannot exceed 12 months

Annual Leave in Burundi

  • Labor Law provides 20 days paid annual leave (one and two-thirds of a day for every month of service), after completion of 12 months of continuous service.
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Holidays in Burundi

New Year’s Day 1st January
Unity Day 5th February
President Ntaryamira Day 6th April
Labor Day 1st May
Ascension Day 20th May
Eid al-Fitr  
Independence Day 17th July
Eid al-Adha  
Assumption of Mary 15th August
Prince Rwagasore Day 13th October
Ndadaye Day 21st October
All Saints' Day 2nd November
Christmas Day 25th December

 

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Maternity Leave Burundi

  • The duration of the maternity leave shall be of 12 weeks, with the possibility of extension to 14 weeks, of which at least 6 have to be taken after the birth.

Paternity Leave Burundi

  • Workers are allowed fully paid paternity leave of 4 days on the birth of a child.

Sick Leave in Burundi

  • Minimally, a worker should be entitled to an income during first 6 months of illness.
  • This income should be at least 45 per cent of the minimum wage. (Countries are free to opt for a system which guarantees 60 per cent of the last wages during the first 6 months of illness or even during the first year).
  • A worker must be entitled to paid sick leave.

Working Hours in Burundi

  • In accordance with the Labor Code, the normal hours of work are 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.

Overtime in Burundi

  • In cases of urgent or exceptional work due to a higher demand of work, the employer has the right to extend working time to a limit of 15 hours per week, and 150 hours per year.
  • Every hour considered as overtime entitle the worker to the following compensation:
    • 35% for each of the first two hours worked after the legal weekly working time, or the weekly presence considered as equivalent;
    • 60% for each of the following hours.

Termination of Employment in Burundi

  • Generally, notice period is fixed by collective agreement.
  • According to the Labor Code, Minimum length of notice period for termination of employment contract by an employer is
    • One month if the employee has the seniority (work experience with the firm) of less than 3 years;
    • One month and a half (45 days) if the employee has the seniority of 3 to 5 years;
    • Two months if the employee has the seniority of 5 to 10 years; and
    • 3 months if the employee has the seniority of more than 10 years.
  • In accordance with the Burundian Labor Code, severance pay is not payable to a worker employed on daily wages and when a worker is dismissed for gross negligence.
  • In the case of individual dismissals, the rate of severance pay is as follows: -
    • One average monthly salary for workers with seniority of 3 to 5 years;
    • Two average monthly salaries for workers with seniority of 5 to 10 years; and
    • Three average monthly salaries for workers with seniority of more than 10 years.
Need assistance hiring in Burundi? Contact us about our International EOR Service

Notice Period in Burundi

  • Generally, notice period is fixed by collective agreement.
  • According to the Labor Code, Minimum length of notice period for termination of employment contract by an employer is
    • One month if the employee has the seniority (work experience with the firm) of less than 3 years;
    • One month and a half (45 days) if the employee has the seniority of 3 to 5 years;
    • Two months if the employee has the seniority of 5 to 10 years; and
    • 3 months if the employee has the seniority of more than 10 years.

Severance in Burundi

  • In accordance with the Burundian Labor Code, severance pay is not payable to a worker employed on daily wages and when a worker is dismissed for gross negligence.
  • In the case of individual dismissals, the rate of severance pay is as follows: -
    • One average monthly salary for workers with seniority of 3 to 5 years;
    • Two average monthly salaries for workers with seniority of 5 to 10 years; and
    • Three average monthly salaries for workers with seniority of more than 10 years.

Burundi Salary and Wages

13th Month Salary in Burundi

  • No
  • There is no statutory requirement to pay the 13th or 14th months salary.
  • There is no evidence that is customary.
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Income Tax in Burundi

  • Residents are taxed on worldwide income; non-residents are taxed only on Burundi-source income, including income generated from professional activities carried out in Burundi.
  • An individual is taxed on employment income, business/professional income and investment income.
  • Capital gains other than gains derived by a resident individual as part of business income are classified under a schedule where income is taxed at 15%.
  • However, the only capital gains that are taxable for a non-residents are those resulting from the sale of shares in a resident company or an interest in a building located in Burundi.
  • Additionally, capital gains on a transfer of real property that is the main residence of the transferor for at least three years, as well as capital gain on a corporate restructuring, are exempt from capital gains tax.
  • Employment and business income is taxed at progressive rates up to 30%.
  • PAYE is levied on employment income based on a progressive salary scale; the rate is limited to 30% of taxable income.

Taxable Income (BIF)

Rate (%)
0 – 1.8 million 0%
1 800 001 – 3.6 million 20%
3 600 001 and above 30%

Social Security in Burundi

  • The contribution to the social security fund is 10%
    • 6% by the employer and 4% by the employee, capped at BIF450 000 per month, and
    • an additional 3% contribution by the employer, capped at BIF80 000 per month.

Contribution

Employer

Employee
Social Security 6%; 4%
  3%  
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Immigration Burundi

  • Some of the main visa categories available in Burundi are as follows: -
    • Business Visa
    • Tourist Visa
    • Missionary Visa
  • Burundi visas are generally issued for single or multiple entry, valid for up to 90 days, at the discretion of the Embassy of Burundi.

Type of Visa/Permit

Documentation

Validity

Eligibility
Business Visa
  • Original, signed passport valid for 6 months beyond stay
  • Two Burundi visa application forms
  • Two recent 2 x 2 passport type photographs in color
  • Letter from employer or sponsoring company, on company letterhead, introducing the applicant, indicating the applicant's employment status/position held in the company, and clearly stating the purpose of travel to Burundi.
  • Proof of Travel Arrangements
  • International certificate of vaccination against yellow fever
 90 days
  • Foreigners who intend to travel to Burundi for business related activities such as meetings must apply for a Business Visa
Tourist Visa
  • Original, signed passport valid for 6 months beyond stay
  • Two Burundi visa application forms
  • Two recent 2 x 2 passport type photographs in color
  • Hotel Confirmation
  • Proof of Travel Arrangements
  • International certificate of vaccination against yellow fever
 90 days
  • Foreigners who intend to visit Burundi for short periods can obtain a tourist visa
Missionary Visa
  • Original, signed passport valid for 6 months beyond stay
  • Two Burundi visa application forms
  • Two recent 2 x 2 passport type photographs in color
  • Letter of Invitation from inviting organization in Burundi introducing the applicant, and clearly stating the purpose of visit.
  • Proof of Travel Arrangements
  • International certificate of vaccination against yellow fever
 90 days
  • This visa is granted to foreigners visiting Burundi for missionary work
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Value Added Tax (VAT) in Burundi

  • VAT is imposed on the sale of goods and the provision of services, and on imports.
  • The standard VAT rate is 18%, with exemptions and zero-rating available in certain cases.
  • Telephone calls are no longer subject to VAT or consumption tax.
  • A reduced rate of 10% applies to certain imports.

VAT

Standard Rate

Group 1083

18%
Reduced Rate Group 1083 10%
Zero Rate Group 1083 0%
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Mandatory Benefits in Burundi

  • These are mandatory benefits as postulated by law
  • These include probationary period, annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, overtime pay, notice period, and severance pay
  • Statutory benefits also include social security benefits

Mandatory Benefits overview

  • Probationary period

  • Annual Leave

  • Public Holidays

  • Maternity Leave

  • Paternity Leave

  • Sick Leave

  • Overtime Pay

  • Notice period

  • Severance Pay

  • Social Security Benefits

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Payments and Invoicing

  • The tax year is the calendar year.
  • A different tax year of 12 months is available upon request.
  • There is no filing requirement if income has been subject to tax under the PAYE mechanism. Joint filing for spouses is not permitted.
  • Tax on employment income is withheld by the employer under the PAYE system, and remitted to the tax authorities within 15 days following the end of the month for which the tax was due.
  • Penalties, including fines and interest, apply for failure to comply.
  • Before objecting to a notice of assessment, a taxpayer is required to pay 30% of the amount assessed or the undisputed amount of tax, whichever is higher.
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Accrued Benefits in Burundi

Christmas Bonus % 0%
Christmas Bonus Over Vacations % 0%
Severance per Year%

Employees are entitled to severance pay that equals 50% of monthly salary (4.16% of annual salary)

 4.16%
of annual salary
Vacations %

Labor Law provides 20 days paid annual leave (5.49% of annual salary)

 5.49%
Of annual
salary
Notice %

Employees are entitled to 30 days of notice period for one year of service or more (8.24%)

 8.24%
Christmas Bonus Over Notifications % 0%
Vacations Plus % 0%

Total percentage of Salary (yearly)

The total employment accruals as a percentage of salary per anum are equal to 17.98%

17.98%

Payroll Accrual in Burundi

Country Accruals Additional Information

Social Security 6.00%
Maternity leave 12 weeks
Vacations 7.90%
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Description

6% of monthly covered payroll; 8.8% for employees in arduous work.The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are the legal monthly minimum wage.The legal daily minimum wage is 105 Burundi francs in rural areas and 160 Burundi francs in urban areas.The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 450,000 Burundi francs.

Payroll Accruals Additional Information

 

 

Employment Accruals
Annual Leave Labor Law provides 20 days paid annual leave (one and two-thirds of a day for every month of service), after completion of 12 months of continuous service. This equals 5.47% (20/365 days) of annual income
Maternity Leave The duration of the maternity leave shall be of 12 weeks, with the possibility of extension to 14 weeks, of which at least 6 have to be taken after the birth. This equals 23% (12/52 weeks) of annual income
Paternity Leave Workers are allowed fully paid paternity leave of 4 days on the birth of a child. This equals 1.1% (4/365 days) of annual income
Sick Leave Minimally, a worker should be entitled to an income during first 6 months of illness.
This income should be at least 45 per cent of the minimum wage.		 This equals 45% of monthly salary multipled by 6 months.
Overtime Every hour considered as overtime entitle the worker to the following compensation:
  • 35% for each of the first two hours worked after the legal weekly working time, or the weekly presence considered as equivalent;
  • 60% for each of the following hours.
 Normal hourly rate is around 7375 BIF. Overtime is mostly paid at an additional 2,581.25 BIF.
Severance In the case of individual dismissals, the rate of severance pay is as follows: -
  • One average monthly salary for workers with seniority of 3 to 5 years;
  • Two average monthly salaries for workers with seniority of 5 to 10 years; and
  • Three average monthly salaries for workers with seniority of more than 10 years.
 This equals 8.33% (1/12 months) of annual income
Social Security The contribution to the social security fund is 10%
  • 6% by the employer and 4% by the employee, capped at BIF450 000 per month, and
  • an additional 3% contribution by the employer, capped at BIF80 000 per month.
 This equals 10% of annual income

Why use Global Expansion to hire in Burundi

Establishing a branch office or subsidiary in Burundi 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 Burundi labor laws are complex.

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

Global Expansion makes it easy for you to expand into Burundi. 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 Burundi 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.

 

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