Service Certificate & Employment Reference Guide for Workers in Libya
Download a ready-to-use Libya work certificate and service certificate template for employees and workers finishing their employment.
The template is designed around the basic information required by Article 45 of Libya's Labour Relations Law No. 12 of 2010, while also providing optional fields that can make the document more useful for future employment applications.
⬇ Download Work Certificate Template (Word)A Libyan work certificate, also described as a service or employment certificate, is a document issued by the employer at the end of an employee's or worker's service.
Article 45 of Law No. 12 of 2010 requires the employer to provide the certificate free of charge.
The legally specified certificate contains basic employment information, including:
Article 45 also states that, at the worker's request, the certificate should include the remuneration received and any additional benefits, if applicable.
Article 45 of Law No. 12 of 2010 is the central provision concerning the service certificate.
| Requirement | Libyan Rule |
|---|---|
| When issued? | At the end of the worker's or employee's service. |
| Cost | The certificate must be provided free of charge. |
| Employment start date | Must be stated. |
| Employment end date | Must be stated. |
| Type of work | Must be stated. |
| Salary / remuneration | Included at the worker's request. |
| Other benefits | Included at the worker's request, where applicable. |
The following is a general example that can be adapted by a Libyan employer:
SERVICE / WORK CERTIFICATE Employer: [Company / Organization Name] [Company Address] [Telephone / Email] Employee: [Full Name] [Employee Number, if applicable] This is to certify that: [Full Name] was employed by [Company / Organization Name] from [Start Date] until [End Date]. During this period, the employee worked as: [Job Title / Type of Work] Main duties and responsibilities included: - [Duty / Responsibility 1] - [Duty / Responsibility 2] - [Duty / Responsibility 3] - [Duty / Responsibility 4] At the employee's request: Remuneration: [Amount / Salary Information] Other benefits: [Benefits, if applicable] We issue this certificate at the end of the employee's service. [Place] [Date] For [Company / Organization Name] ____________________________ Authorized Representative Name: [Name] Position: [Position] Company Stamp: [Stamp, if applicable]
The certificate should state the date on which the employee began working for the employer.
The certificate should state the date on which the employee's service ended.
The document should identify the type of work the worker or employee performed.
Article 45 provides that remuneration can be included when requested by the worker.
Other benefits may also be included at the worker's request where such benefits existed.
A basic Libyan service certificate and a detailed employment reference are not necessarily the same document.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Service / Work Certificate | Confirms employment dates and the type of work performed. Article 45 specifically requires this certificate at the end of service. |
| Salary / Benefits Information | Can be included in the certificate at the worker's request under Article 45. |
| Detailed Employment Reference | May provide additional information about responsibilities, professional experience or performance if the employer chooses to provide such information. |
| Job Reference | May be used during a future recruitment process when an employer or recruiter wants additional information about a candidate's previous employment. |
The Swiss source page on which this guide is based describes coded phrases such as "Stets zu unserer vollsten Zufriedenheit." Those Swiss/German employment-reference conventions should not be presented as Libyan legal requirements.
Libya's Article 45 instead specifies factual employment information: the beginning of employment, the end of service, and the type of work performed, with remuneration and other benefits included at the worker's request.
Although Article 45 establishes the statutory certificate at the end of service, the document can also be useful when applying for future employment.
Article 45 places the obligation on the employer to provide the certificate at the end of service.
Employees approaching the end of employment should make sure they receive their service certificate and should check that the dates and type of work are accurate.
Article 45 specifically provides that, at the worker's request, the certificate can state the value of the remuneration received and any other benefits, if applicable.
If you need the certificate for a bank, visa application, future employer or another official purpose, you can ask the employer to include the relevant remuneration and benefits information where appropriate.
A request can be made clearly and in writing so that the employer understands exactly what additional information is required.
An employee can use the following letter or email when requesting confirmation of their service:
Subject: Request for Work / Service Certificate Dear [HR Manager / Employer Name], I kindly request the issuance of my work/service certificate following the end of my employment with [Company Name]. My employment details are: Full Name: [Your Full Name] Position: [Job Title] Employment Start Date: [Start Date] Employment End Date: [End Date] Please include the type of work I performed during my employment. I also request, where applicable, that the certificate include information regarding my remuneration and other employment benefits in accordance with Article 45 of Libya's Labour Relations Law No. 12 of 2010. Thank you for your assistance. Kind regards, [Full Name] [Phone Number] [Email Address] [Date]
Before using your certificate for another job application, check that the information is accurate.
If your certificate contains an incorrect employment date, job description or other factual information, contact the employer or HR department and request correction.
Keep supporting documents that establish the correct information, such as your employment contract, personnel records, salary records or other official employment documents.
Employers preparing a service certificate can use the following checklist:
Foreign workers can also need employment documentation when changing jobs or completing employment in Libya.
Libya's Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation continues to regulate foreign labour and employment documentation. In 2026, the Ministry reported ongoing development of its "Wafed" digital platform and procedures for managing foreign-worker files and verifying required documents.
Foreign-worker authorization and immigration requirements are separate matters from the employer's obligation to issue the service certificate.
WORK / SERVICE CERTIFICATE This is to certify that: [Full Name] was employed by: [Company Name] from [Start Date] to [End Date]. During this period, the employee worked as: [Job Title / Type of Work] Remuneration: [Amount, if requested] Other benefits: [Benefits, if applicable] Issued at [Place] on [Date]. For [Company Name] ____________________________ Authorized Representative Name: [Name] Position: [Position] Company Stamp: [Stamp]
Article 45 of Law No. 12 of 2010 requires the employer to give the worker or employee a certificate free of charge at the end of service.
It must state the date employment began, the date service ended and the type of work performed. At the worker's request, it must also state remuneration and other benefits, where applicable.
No. Article 45 states that the certificate is provided free of charge.
Yes. Article 45 specifically provides that the value of remuneration can be included at the worker's request.
Yes. Article 45 states that other benefits can also be indicated at the worker's request, where applicable.
The requirements in Article 45 do not establish the Swiss/German coded performance-language system. A Libyan service certificate should therefore not be presented as if those Swiss phrases were statutory Libyan requirements.
Article 45 requires the type of work performed to be stated. An employer may provide additional factual information about duties or responsibilities where appropriate, but the statutory requirement is the identification of the type of work.
Yes. A service certificate can help document previous employment, employment dates and the type of work performed. Employers or recruiters may request additional references separately.
Article 45 establishes the employer's obligation to provide the certificate at the end of service. If an employer does not comply, keep written records of your request and consider contacting the appropriate labour authority or obtaining qualified legal advice.
No. If there is an error, request a corrected certificate from the employer rather than altering the original document.
This page provides general information about work and service certificates in Libya. It is not a substitute for legal advice.
The main statutory information on this page is based on Article 45 of Libya's Law No. 12 of 2010 on Labour Relations.
In 2026, Libya's Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation continued activities aimed at enforcing and organizing the labour market under Law No. 12 of 2010 and its implementing regulations. The Ministry reported that labour inspectors were being prepared to inspect workplaces and monitor compliance with the applicable labour legislation.
Individual employment contracts, internal workplace regulations, sector-specific rules and administrative procedures may also apply. If there is a dispute concerning a work certificate, employment records, salary information or another employment right, consider obtaining advice from a qualified Libyan lawyer or the appropriate labour authority.