The Labour Department is reminding all employers that they must allow their workers reasonable time off to vote on General Election Day, March 12, 2025. This is a legal requirement under Section 29 of the Representation of the People Act (Chapter 9).
Employers are not allowed to deduct wages or punish employees for taking time to vote. Workers should be given enough time to travel to their polling station, cast their vote, and return to work. Employers should also consider factors such as travel distance, transportation options, and expected wait times when deciding how much time to grant.
For those who need to travel long distances, employers are encouraged to be flexible so that all workers have the opportunity to vote. Any employer who fails to follow these rules or tries to intimidate employees to stop them from voting could face fines or imprisonment.
The Labour Department urges all businesses to follow the law and support their employees in exercising their right to vote. For more information, contact the Labour Department at 672-6562 or email Labour.Comm@labour.gov.bz.
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