Employer of Record in Ivory Coast

Hiring independent contractors has boomed in popularity because of the cost savings and flexibility they offer. It can be a great option if you require niche skills or short-term project support. Contractors allow businesses to access specialized skills quickly, without the time and cost of setting up a local entity.

However, it’s important to know the limits of this model: contractors are not a substitute for full-time employees. Relying on them for ongoing, long-term roles can create serious compliance risks, including employee misclassification, which can lead to fines, back taxes, and reputational damage.

Playroll’s contractor management solutions make it simple to compliantly engage, onboard, and pay contractors around the world. We provide clear visibility into agreements, streamline payments, and reduce compliance risks – so you can focus on getting the work done. And when you’re ready to take the next step, we can help seamlessly convert contractors into full-time employees through our global Employer of Record service.

Businesses can only operate smoothly in Ivory Coast if they comply with local labor laws including drafting compliant employment contract agreements and meeting taxation and payroll obligations. Learn more about the employment laws and regulations in Ivory Coast below, to avoid any compliance issues.

Employment Contract Requirements

In Ivory Coast, employment agreements come in two types: fixed-term and indefinite. It's crucial that written documentation accompanies fixed-term contracts; otherwise, they are treated as indefinite. Employment contracts in the country must include the following information:

• Identification of both parties
• Date and place of contract
• Date and place of employment
• Job classification
• Basic wage and additional benefits
• Probationary period (if applicable)
• Nature and length of contract
• Reference to collective agreements

Onboarding Process

We can help you get a new employee started in Ivory Coast quickly, with a minimum onboarding time of just 1-2 working days. The timeline starts once the employee submits all required information onto the Playroll platform and completes any necessary local authority registrations. For non-nationals, the Right to Work assessment (if applicable) may add up to three extra days. Additional time may be needed for follow-ups on this assessment. Please note, payroll cut-off dates can impact the actual start date. Playroll's payroll cut-off date is the 10th of each month unless otherwise specified.

Working Hours in Ivory Coast

The regular workweek comprises 40 hours, spanning Monday through Friday, with a daily duration of 8 hours.

Overtime in Ivory Coast

In Ivory Coast, overtime compensation is set at 115% of the standard salary rate for the initial 8 hours, 150% for extra hours, and 175% for night hours. Executives might be excluded from overtime restrictions if a fixed lump sum premium is specified in their contract.

Probation Period in Ivory Coast

The statutory probation period in the Ivory Coast depends on the type of employment:

• For hourly or daily paid employees: 8 days probation period
• Monthly paid employees: 1 month probation period
• Supervisors, technicians, and similar jobs: 2 months probation period

Employment laws in Ivory Coast can be intricate, and even unintentional mistakes in contracts, benefits, or termination processes can carry legal and reputational consequences. With an Employer of Record, you gain a local partner that ensures every hire is compliant. The EOR takes care of drafting compliant contracts, processing accurate payroll, managing contributions to statutory benefits, and handling lawful terminations if needed, all according to local employment standards.

This level of protection is especially valuable when expanding into new or unfamiliar regions. Instead of using time and resources to build in-house legal knowledge, you gain immediate access to local expertise. The EOR keeps you ahead of regulatory updates and shields your company from potential compliance gaps, so you can confidently hire and manage employees while minimizing risk. For hiring managers and founders, it's the difference between hiring with uncertainty and building your team on a legally sound foundation.

Fiscal Year in Ivory Coast

1 January - 31 December is the 12-month accounting period that businesses in Ivory Coast use for financial and tax reporting purposes.

Payroll Cycle in Ivory Coast

The payroll cycle in Ivory Coast is usually monthly, but there's no statutory requirement, so employers can pay weekly or on another frequency, as long as it's stipulated in the employment agreement.

Minimum Wage in Ivory Coast

As of January 1, 2025, Ivory Coast's minimum wage is set at CFA 75,000 per month. This rate applies to all workers and is reviewed periodically by the government.

Bonus Payments in Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast does not have a legal mandate for 13-month salaries. Nevertheless, it is customary for employers to provide bonuses linked to factors like seniority and attendance.

Employer Tax Contributions

Employer payroll contributions are generally estimated at an additional 15.45% - 18.45% on top of the employee salary in Ivory Coast.

Employee Payroll Tax Contributions

In Ivory Coast , the typical estimation for employee payroll contributions cost is around 6.3%.

Individual Income Tax Contributions

Income tax in Ivory Coast is determined by National Contribution deductions and dependent ratios. These percentages vary according to income levels, ranging from 0% to 32% of the base salary.

Pension in Ivory Coast

An employee eligible for a retirement pension must fulfil specific criteria, including affiliation with the National Social Insurance Fund, reaching the age of 60, and having a minimum of 15 years of salaried activity subject to contributions.

When you’re scaling quickly, setting up local payroll systems in each new country slows you down. In Ivory Coast, the administrative load can include government registration, benefits management, and accurate, on-time payment delivery. An EOR gives you a plug-and-play solution that handles all of this while your internal team stays focused on growth, not red tape.

Key Ways an EOR Supports Payroll in Ivory Coast:

• Rapid Payroll Setup: Onboards employees quickly with ready-to-go infrastructure.
• End Administration: Handles salary, tax, and benefits with no extra internal resources.
• Vendor Simplicity: Consolidates payroll across countries for centralized oversight.
• No Entity Required: Operates legally, saving your business the time and resources needed for local incorporation.

In Ivory Coast, work permits and visas are essential for employers hiring foreign workers. The process involves submitting required documentation, paying applicable fees, and adhering to processing times and renewal schedules. The key visa types include the Short-Term Work Visa for temporary assignments (valid for up to 3 months), the Long-Term Work Visa for employment contracts exceeding 90 days (valid for up to one year and renewable annually), and the Business Visa for business-related visits without formal employment. Employers must ensure compliance with Ivorian labor laws and navigate sponsorship requirements to bring foreign talent into the country successfully.

Mandatory Leave Entitlement in Ivory Coast

The annual leave entitlement in Ivory Coast is 26 days for a full time worker. These can include public holidays on top of that or within those days, which would otherwise be unpaid.

Public Holidays In Ivory Coast

The following are 14 public holidays in Ivory Coast:

Paid Time Off in Ivory Coast

Employees in Ivory Coast are entitled to a paid annual leave of 26 working days after completing one year of service. A continuous period of 14 days must be utilised each year. The specific number of days granted depends on the length of service:

Maternity Leave In Ivory Coast

In Ivory Coast, pregnant employees are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave. This leave is divided into 6 weeks to be taken before the due date and 8 weeks following the birth. Maternity confirmation certificates are required before starting the leave. For employees in the public sector, maternity leave has been extended from three to six months as of March 2025.

Paternity Leave In Ivory Coast

In Ivory Coast, fathers are entitled to three days of paid paternity leave, with the payment covered by the family allowance.

Sick Leave In Ivory Coast

An employee is eligible for up to 5 days of paid sick leave per year, with the employer covering sick leave.

Parental Leave In Ivory Coast

There are no additional provisions for shared parental leave beyond the maternity and paternity leave entitlements.

For startups and small teams, managing global employee benefits isn’t just complex, it’s a full-time job. In Ivory Coast, understanding what benefits are required, how to deliver them, and how to stay compliant can be overwhelming, especially without local HR expertise. An Employer of Record removes that pressure by taking complete ownership of benefits administration, so you don't have to become an expert in local employment law.

Whether it’s healthcare contributions, pension enrollment, or statutory leave, the EOR ensures everything is delivered accurately and on time. They navigate any country-specific nuances, keep up with legal changes, and ensure each benefit is properly tracked and documented. For founders, that means fewer distractions and more time to focus on growth. Your employees get the security and support they expect from a local employer, and you get to scale your team in Ivory Coast without building complex infrastructure or worrying about compliance missteps.

Termination Process in Ivory Coast

Compliant terminations in Ivory Coast include:

• Voluntary employee resignation
• Mutual agreement
• Unilateral employer decision (based on probation period, objective reasons, disciplinary dismissal)
• Contract expiration

Notice Period in Ivory Coast

The employment law stipulates notice periods, which vary depending on the occupation and salary. However, the general framework is as follows:

• During probation period: no notice
• Less than 6 months of service: 8 days notice
• 6 months to 1 year of service: 15 days notice
• 1-6 years of service: 1 month notice
• 6-11 years of service: 2 months notice
• 11-16 years of service: 3 months notice
• Over 16 years of service: 4 months notice

Severance in Ivory Coast

Similar to notice periods, severance pay is outlined in the employment law and is contingent on the job role and salary. It follows the respective rates:

• 1-5 years of service: 30% monthly salary per year
• 6-10 years of service: 35% monthly salary per year
• More than 10 years of service: 40% monthly salary per year