Sick Leave in Bangladesh: Labour Act 2006 Entitlements

Bangladesh’s sick leave law provides employees with 14 days of paid sick leave per year under the Shops and Establishments Act, 2006 and the Labour Act, 2006. The employer pays full wages during this period, and there is no state sickness benefit for ordinary illness. For industrial workers, the Factories Act, 2006 provides additional protections.

Key Takeaways

• Employees are entitled to 14 days of paid sick leave per year at full wages
• The employer pays 100% of wages during the sick leave period
• A medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner is required from day 1
• There is no state sickness benefit for ordinary illness in Bangladesh
• Sick leave is separate from annual leave — it does not reduce the leave balance

Bangladesh’s Sick Leave Entitlement

Bangladesh’s sick leave system is governed by the Shops and Establishments Act, 2006 (for commercial establishments) and the Labour Act, 2006 (for industrial workers). Under both laws, employees are entitled to 14 days of paid sick leave per calendar year.

The entitlement is the same regardless of length of service. Sick leave is separate from annual leave — taking sick leave does not reduce the employee’s annual leave entitlement.

For industrial workers covered by the Factories Act, 2006, the entitlement may be more generous depending on the factory rules.

Who Pays for Sick Leave?

Period	Pay Rate	Who Pays
Days 1–14 (per year)	100% of wages	Employer

There is no state sickness benefit for ordinary illness in Bangladesh. The employer bears the full cost of all 14 days.

Sick Leave Pay Rates

Period	Pay Rate	Source
Days 1–14 (per year)	100% of wages	Shops and Establishments Act 2006
Beyond 14 days	Unpaid	—

The wages used for calculation are the employee’s basic wage plus regular allowances.

Medical Certificate Requirements

Bangladesh requires a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner from the first day of illness. The certificate must specify:

• The date of examination
• The expected duration of the absence
• The diagnosis

The employee must present the certificate to the employer. Some employers accept self-certification for 1–2 days, but the statutory requirement is a certificate from day 1.

How to Calculate Sick Pay in Bangladesh

Example: An employee earning BDT 25,000/month is off sick for 10 working days.

1. Sick leave (10 days): 100% of wages
2. Daily wage: BDT 25,000 ÷ 30 = BDT 833.33/day
3. Sick pay: BDT 833.33 × 10 = BDT 8,333

The employee uses 10 days of their 14-day annual entitlement. They have 4 days remaining for any subsequent illness in the same year.

The 14-Day Annual Limit

The 14-day entitlement is measured per calendar year:

• An employee who uses 10 days for one illness has 4 days remaining for any subsequent illness in the same year
• Unused days do not carry over to the next year
• The entitlement resets each calendar year

Employer Obligations and Penalties

Bangladeshi employers must:

• Pay 100% of wages for up to 14 days of sick leave per year
• Record all sick leave taken by each employee
• Maintain medical certificates on file
• Provide payslips showing sick leave details
• Maintain records for at least 3 years

Non-compliance can result in fines from the Department of Labour (শ্রম অধিদপ্তর) and potential labour court proceedings.

Comparison With Other Countries

Country	Sick Days	Pay	Certificate Required
Bangladesh	14 days	100%	Day 1
UK	28 weeks SSP	£116.75/week	Day 7
Australia	10 days personal/carer’s leave	Full rate	2+ consecutive days
US	Varies by state	Varies	Employer policy

FAQ

Can the employer require a medical certificate from day 1?

Yes. The statutory requirement is a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner from the first day of illness. Some employers accept self-certification for 1–2 days as a company policy, but the legal requirement is a certificate from day 1.

Is sick leave separate from annual leave?

Yes. Sick leave and annual leave are separate entitlements. Taking sick leave does not reduce the employee’s annual leave balance. An employee is entitled to 14 days of sick leave and their full annual leave entitlement each year.

What happens if the employee exceeds 14 days?

After 14 days, the employer has no further statutory obligation to pay wages for sick leave. The employment continues, but the additional days are unpaid unless the employer provides them as a company benefit or under a collective agreement.