Global legislative trends on paid annual leave

Paid annual leave is an essential instrument to prevent the indefinite extension of working time throughout the year, protect workers' physical and mental health, promote work-life balance, facilitate family reunification, and sustain long-term productivity.

The regulatory framework for paid annual leave generally encompasses specific elements, namely the scope of application, qualifying periods, calculation of leave entitlement, remuneration during leave, and the division and deferral of leave. The Holidays with Pay Convention (Revised), 1970 (No. 132) provides comprehensive provisions on these matters, serving as a standard reference for national legislation.

In the context of population ageing, low fertility rates, and the rapid advancement of digital technologies, the institution of paid annual leave is currently witnessing three emerging trends: First, paid annual leave is increasingly being integrated into a broader "system of leave entitlements", creating institutional synergies with policies addressing care responsibilities. Second, the regulatory boundaries between mental health-related absenteeism and annual leave are becoming highly refined. Third, the emergence of new rights in the digital era, such as the right to disconnect, has played a proactive role in ensuring the effective implementation of paid annual leave.