Bosnia and Herzegovina Employment Guide

Maternity Leave Regulations in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Employees in Bosnia and Herzegovina are entitled to maternity leave ranging from a minimum of 42 days to a maximum of one year. A mandatory 28-day period must be taken before the child's birth. Compensation during this period is administered by the Social Work Center (Centar za socijalni rad), with payment rates varying across different administrative regions.

For example, in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, employees receive between 50% and 80% of their reference salary, depending on cantonal regulations. In contrast, the Republika Srpska provides 100% of the employee's average salary from the six months preceding the leave. Similarly, the Brčko District offers full salary compensation at 100%.

It's important to note that extensions to maternity leave are not permitted under current legislation.

Paternity Leave Provisions

Fathers may take paternity leave during the remaining maternity leave period after the first six weeks following childbirth, provided the mother provides written consent to transfer this portion of her leave. The compensation structure mirrors that of maternity leave, with payments processed through the Social Work Center.

Regional variations apply here as well. The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina offers 50-80% of reference salary, while both the Republika Srpska and Brčko District provide full salary compensation at 100% of the employee's previous earnings.

Like maternity leave, paternity leave cannot be extended beyond the allocated period.

Parental Leave Considerations

Bosnia and Herzegovina's labor laws do not specifically provide for additional parental leave beyond maternity and paternity provisions. Employees typically rely on the combined maternity and paternity leave framework for child care during the first year.

International companies like SailGlobal often supplement these statutory requirements with additional parental benefits to remain competitive in attracting global talent.

Sick Leave Entitlements

Sick leave in Bosnia and Herzegovina has no maximum duration limit, with compensation structured according to the length of absence. For the first 42 days, employers pay 80% of the employee's base salary. Beyond this period, payment continues according to regional regulations, with employers responsible for disbursement (reimbursed by health insurance institutes).

This system ensures continuous income protection during extended illnesses while distributing financial responsibility between employers and public health institutions.