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France Public Holidays Cancellation Update Le Monde (Paris) Over the weekend, the French government has issued a guidance document addressed to social partners confirming that it wishes to include in the draft finance law for 2026 a measure to remove the public holiday status of two days, Easter Monday and May 8, for employees in both the private and public sectors, adding that the choice of the two days concerned can still be "discussed", but that negotiations over the cancellation of 2 public holidays will need to be concluded by September 30 at the latest. Surprisingly, an Ifop poll has 77% of French people against the cancellation of 2 public holidays (the surprise being that 23% are not against it). Recall that, last month, at a news conference to present his public finance recovery plan for 2026, France's Prime Minister, François Bayrou, suggested cancelling the Easter Monday and May 8 annual public holidays of France, mentioning these 2 holidays as examples, but arguing that the Monday after Easter has no religious significance, and that May 8 is in the middle of the month of May which is already a Swiss Cheese due to many other nearby public holidays. Last October, the short-lived Barnier government had similarly considered the conversion of another of France's annual public holidays into a solidarity working holiday. In 2004, following the 2003 summer heat wave, the French government had converted the Whitmonday public holiday into a working public holiday, to bring in more tax revenues to pay for better healthcare for the elderly and disabled. However, this was a major political miscalculation, and the Whitmonday public holiday was restored in 2007. In 2011 and 2019, the French government was reportedly considering the conversion of another public holiday into a working public holiday to finance long-term dependency of the elderly population, but nothing came of it.
France Public Holidays Cancellation Update Le Monde (Paris) Over the weekend, the French government has issued a guidance document addressed to social partners confirming that it wishes to include in the draft finance law for 2026 a measure to remove the public holiday status of two days, Easter Monday and May 8, for employees in both the private and public sectors, adding that the choice of the two days concerned can still be "discussed", but that negotiations over the cancellation of 2 public holidays will need to be concluded by September 30 at the latest. Surprisingly, an Ifop poll has 77% of French people against the cancellation of 2 public holidays (the surprise being that 23% are not against it). Recall that, last month, at a news conference to present his public finance recovery plan for 2026, France's Prime Minister, François Bayrou, suggested cancelling the Easter Monday and May 8 annual public holidays of France, mentioning these 2 holidays as examples, but arguing that the Monday after Easter has no religious significance, and that May 8 is in the middle of the month of May which is already a Swiss Cheese due to many other nearby public holidays. Last October, the short-lived Barnier government had similarly considered the conversion of another of France's annual public holidays into a solidarity working holiday. In 2004, following the 2003 summer heat wave, the French government had converted the Whitmonday public holiday into a working public holiday, to bring in more tax revenues to pay for better healthcare for the elderly and disabled. However, this was a major political miscalculation, and the Whitmonday public holiday was restored in 2007. In 2011 and 2019, the French government was reportedly considering the conversion of another public holiday into a working public holiday to finance long-term dependency of the elderly population, but nothing came of it.
Western Australia Public Holidays Review Feedback Western Australia Department of Labour Relations and Commerce (Perth) The deadline for feedback on the public consultation on the Government of the State of Western Australia's announced goal of reforming the State’s public holiday schedule, was last night at 5:00pm (AWST). As per the WA Government, almost 10,000 submissions were received from community members, businesses and peak bodies about WA public holidays, and preliminary analysis of submissions indicates strong support for changes to WA's public holidays. However, "Recognising the need for community, business, and organisational planning, any changes are not proposed to take effect until 2027 or 2028". Of note is feedback from Tourism Council WA which made a submission to the WA Public Holiday Review based on a recent survey of WA tourism operators including regional and metropolitan accommodation, event, venue, retail and hospitality businesses. That survey seems to have been focused on one of the reform's proposals, namely including Easter Saturday as a public holiday, and the results are that 76 per cent of respondents would be forced to increase rates to cover the inflated costs of operating if Easter Saturday became a public holiday, or would close their business during the Easter long weekend to avoid the penalties. Summarizing Tourism Council WA's position, its CEO, Evan Hall, stated that "a Saturday public holiday did not provide additional time off for most Western Australians who did not usually work on Saturday but would raise prices for families" and that "A public holiday on Easter Saturday would not increase tourism, as WA families are already traveling for the school holidays and tourism businesses and regions are at capacity during this time". As per the WA Government website presenting the aforementioned public consultation, "The WA Government is inviting feedback on the potential opportunities and considerations related to reforming the State’s public holiday schedule." and it specifies that "The existing State public holidays that are under consideration for change are the King’s Birthday, Labour Day and WA Day." all the while stressing that "National holidays, such as Anzac Day, Australia Day, Christmas and Boxing Day are not in scope of this process.". Public feedback was sought before 5:00pm (AWST), Friday 8 August 2025, on 3 aspects; • Moving existing public holidays to align with other jurisdictions, • Moving WA Day to avoid the winter season, and • The addition of (a) new public holiday(s). Originally called Foundation Day until 2011, WA Day is observed on the first Monday of winter, and for the past few years, that date has seen heavy rains. In November 2024, the Premier of the State of Western Australia, Roger Cook, had already indicated that he was open to the idea of moving the Western Australia Day public holiday closer to summer, stating that "I think it makes sense to explore how we might better align the date of the WA Day public holiday, particularly to coincide with our warmer months around summer", and adding that "I am open to reviewing the date of the public holiday in the future, as part of broader reforms that look at maximizing any economic benefits". Then, early last June, Premier Cook, indicated that WA's public holidays could soon be realigned with those observed on the east coast, potentially as early as next year, and that that review may also introduce an additional public holiday. Already mentioned at the time as being on the shortlist for date changes were: WA Day, the King's Birthday, and Labour Day.
Western Australia Public Holidays Review Feedback Western Australia Department of Labour Relations and Commerce (Perth) The deadline for feedback on the public consultation on the Government of the State of Western Australia's announced goal of reforming the State’s public holiday schedule, was last night at 5:00pm (AWST). As per the WA Government, almost 10,000 submissions were received from community members, businesses and peak bodies about WA public holidays, and preliminary analysis of submissions indicates strong support for changes to WA's public holidays. However, "Recognising the need for community, business, and organisational planning, any changes are not proposed to take effect until 2027 or 2028". Of note is feedback from Tourism Council WA which made a submission to the WA Public Holiday Review based on a recent survey of WA tourism operators including regional and metropolitan accommodation, event, venue, retail and hospitality businesses. That survey seems to have been focused on one of the reform's proposals, namely including Easter Saturday as a public holiday, and the results are that 76 per cent of respondents would be forced to increase rates to cover the inflated costs of operating if Easter Saturday became a public holiday, or would close their business during the Easter long weekend to avoid the penalties. Summarizing Tourism Council WA's position, its CEO, Evan Hall, stated that "a Saturday public holiday did not provide additional time off for most Western Australians who did not usually work on Saturday but would raise prices for families" and that "A public holiday on Easter Saturday would not increase tourism, as WA families are already traveling for the school holidays and tourism businesses and regions are at capacity during this time". As per the WA Government website presenting the aforementioned public consultation, "The WA Government is inviting feedback on the potential opportunities and considerations related to reforming the State’s public holiday schedule." and it specifies that "The existing State public holidays that are under consideration for change are the King’s Birthday, Labour Day and WA Day." all the while stressing that "National holidays, such as Anzac Day, Australia Day, Christmas and Boxing Day are not in scope of this process.". Public feedback was sought before 5:00pm (AWST), Friday 8 August 2025, on 3 aspects; • Moving existing public holidays to align with other jurisdictions, • Moving WA Day to avoid the winter season, and • The addition of (a) new public holiday(s). Originally called Foundation Day until 2011, WA Day is observed on the first Monday of winter, and for the past few years, that date has seen heavy rains. In November 2024, the Premier of the State of Western Australia, Roger Cook, had already indicated that he was open to the idea of moving the Western Australia Day public holiday closer to summer, stating that "I think it makes sense to explore how we might better align the date of the WA Day public holiday, particularly to coincide with our warmer months around summer", and adding that "I am open to reviewing the date of the public holiday in the future, as part of broader reforms that look at maximizing any economic benefits". Then, early last June, Premier Cook, indicated that WA's public holidays could soon be realigned with those observed on the east coast, potentially as early as next year, and that that review may also introduce an additional public holiday. Already mentioned at the time as being on the shortlist for date changes were: WA Day, the King's Birthday, and Labour Day.
Chad Declares August 11 Public Holiday Agence Tchadienne de Presse (N’Djamena) Chad's ministère de la Fonction publique et de la Concertation sociale has issued a communiqué declaring Monday, August 11, 2025, as the date of the upcoming Independence Day public holiday of Chad ("à l’occasion de l’Anniversaire de la Proclamation de l'Indépendance, fête nationale, et conformément à l’article 02 du décret N°273/PR/MFPTDS/2019 du 07 mars 2019, modifiant l'article 02 du décret N°413/PR/PM/MFPTEM/97, du 30 septembre 1997, portant révision de la liste et du régime des jours fériés et chômés, le ministre de la Fonction publique et de la Concertation sociale, a l'honneur de porter à la connaissance des travailleuses et travailleurs des secteurs public et privé, que la journée du lundi 11 août 2025, Fête nationale est déclarée fériée et payée sur l’ensemble du territoire"). The aforementioned communique goes on to specify that "Par ailleurs, le ministre tient à informer les travailleuses et travailleurs que la journée du mardi 12 août 2025 est ouvrable", contrary to last year when both August 11 and 12 were declared public holidays.
Chad Declares August 11 Public Holiday Agence Tchadienne de Presse (N’Djamena) Chad's ministère de la Fonction publique et de la Concertation sociale has issued a communiqué declaring Monday, August 11, 2025, as the date of the upcoming Independence Day public holiday of Chad ("à l’occasion de l’Anniversaire de la Proclamation de l'Indépendance, fête nationale, et conformément à l’article 02 du décret N°273/PR/MFPTDS/2019 du 07 mars 2019, modifiant l'article 02 du décret N°413/PR/PM/MFPTEM/97, du 30 septembre 1997, portant révision de la liste et du régime des jours fériés et chômés, le ministre de la Fonction publique et de la Concertation sociale, a l'honneur de porter à la connaissance des travailleuses et travailleurs des secteurs public et privé, que la journée du lundi 11 août 2025, Fête nationale est déclarée fériée et payée sur l’ensemble du territoire"). The aforementioned communique goes on to specify that "Par ailleurs, le ministre tient à informer les travailleuses et travailleurs que la journée du mardi 12 août 2025 est ouvrable", contrary to last year when both August 11 and 12 were declared public holidays.
Nepal Gaijatra Public Holiday August 10 Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that the Nepalese Government had declared Sunday, August 10, 2025, as a public holiday on the occasion of the Gaijatra festival, in line with the gazetted list of official non-working public holidays in Nepal for the Nepalese year 2082 (April 2025-April 2026) which was issued by the Government of Nepal, in early March of this year. The aforementioned public holiday will be observed in the Kathmandu Valley as well as in Banepa, Dhulikhel, Panauti, Barhabise, Trishuli, Dolakha, Khotang, Bhojpur, Chainpur, Dharan, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Hetauda, and Pokhara, especially by the Newar community. In 2016, Nepalese lawmakers, speaking at the Legislature-Parliament, demanded that the current regional Gaijatra non-working public holiday be declared as a nationwide non-working public holiday in Nepal, starting in 2017, but this was not followed by any change. The public holiday for the festival of Gaijatra is covered by last October's notice by Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), listing the government departments that would keep on operating on 18 types of public holidays. The offices of these essential services are to remain open on public holidays such as: the Ubhauli Festival, Chandi Purnima, Buddha Jayanti, Republic Day, Gaijatra, Rakshabandhan, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Indrajatra, Ghatastapana, Christmas Day, Yomari Punhi, Jyapu Day, Tamu Lhosar, Buddha Jayanti, and Maghi Festival. Note that, despite being declared on a Sunday, the aforementioned will be a day off, as Nepal has observed a one-day weekend on Saturdays, for decades, apart for 2 brief intervals, in 2000-2001, and in the spring of 2022, when a two-day weekend was tried briefly.
Nepal Gaijatra Public Holiday August 10 Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that the Nepalese Government had declared Sunday, August 10, 2025, as a public holiday on the occasion of the Gaijatra festival, in line with the gazetted list of official non-working public holidays in Nepal for the Nepalese year 2082 (April 2025-April 2026) which was issued by the Government of Nepal, in early March of this year. The aforementioned public holiday will be observed in the Kathmandu Valley as well as in Banepa, Dhulikhel, Panauti, Barhabise, Trishuli, Dolakha, Khotang, Bhojpur, Chainpur, Dharan, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Hetauda, and Pokhara, especially by the Newar community. In 2016, Nepalese lawmakers, speaking at the Legislature-Parliament, demanded that the current regional Gaijatra non-working public holiday be declared as a nationwide non-working public holiday in Nepal, starting in 2017, but this was not followed by any change. The public holiday for the festival of Gaijatra is covered by last October's notice by Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), listing the government departments that would keep on operating on 18 types of public holidays. The offices of these essential services are to remain open on public holidays such as: the Ubhauli Festival, Chandi Purnima, Buddha Jayanti, Republic Day, Gaijatra, Rakshabandhan, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Indrajatra, Ghatastapana, Christmas Day, Yomari Punhi, Jyapu Day, Tamu Lhosar, Buddha Jayanti, and Maghi Festival. Note that, despite being declared on a Sunday, the aforementioned will be a day off, as Nepal has observed a one-day weekend on Saturdays, for decades, apart for 2 brief intervals, in 2000-2001, and in the spring of 2022, when a two-day weekend was tried briefly.
Arequipa August 15 Public Holiday Gazetted Diario Oficial El Peruano (Lima) Friday, August 15, 2025, has been gazetted as a public holiday in Arequipa in the official gazette Diario Oficial El Peruano, based on Article 8 of Law No. 24875, which declares this day a commemorative day. The aforementioned regional public holiday, corresponding to the 485th anniversary of the Spanish founding of Arequipa, will be considered a Non-working Civic Day and will be paid for all workers within the province in both the public and private sectors. Today's gazette notification is in line with last October's report, by the Peruvian Ministry of Labor and Employment Promotion (MTPE), detailing the regulations applicable to regional public holidays in the private sector, specifying how these days of rest should be managed and the implications for workers and employers.
Arequipa August 15 Public Holiday Gazetted Diario Oficial El Peruano (Lima) Friday, August 15, 2025, has been gazetted as a public holiday in Arequipa in the official gazette Diario Oficial El Peruano, based on Article 8 of Law No. 24875, which declares this day a commemorative day. The aforementioned regional public holiday, corresponding to the 485th anniversary of the Spanish founding of Arequipa, will be considered a Non-working Civic Day and will be paid for all workers within the province in both the public and private sectors. Today's gazette notification is in line with last October's report, by the Peruvian Ministry of Labor and Employment Promotion (MTPE), detailing the regulations applicable to regional public holidays in the private sector, specifying how these days of rest should be managed and the implications for workers and employers.
Canada 2025-2026 Bank Holidays Updated Bank of Canada - Banque du Canada (Ottawa) The Bank of Canada, Canada's central bank, has released an updated version of its previously-released list of 2025-2026 bank holidays in Canada, this time including later dates into August 2026.
Canada 2025-2026 Bank Holidays Updated Bank of Canada - Banque du Canada (Ottawa) The Bank of Canada, Canada's central bank, has released an updated version of its previously-released list of 2025-2026 bank holidays in Canada, this time including later dates into August 2026.
Guyana Denies September 1st Public Holiday Guyana Government Information Agency (GINA) Guyana's Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a communique stating that a report on the Stabroek News website that Monday, September 1st, 2025, has been declared a public holiday was based on a fake notice. As per the aforementioned communique, "The Ministry of Home Affairs advises the public that the image currently circulating online, claiming that Monday, September 1, 2025, has been declared a public holiday, is FAKE. This fabricated notice, which falsely appears to be issued by the Ministry under the Public Holidays Act, did not originate from the Ministry of Home Affairs and should be disregarded in its entirety. We urge members of the public not to share or repost this false information and to always verify announcements through the Ministry’s official website at www.moha.gov.gy or our verified communication platforms". The fake posting had been based on the date of the upcoming General Elections, on September 1st. Recall that, the date of the last general elections, Monday, March 2, 2020, were declared a one-off public holiday by then Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan. The dates of the 3 preceding general elections (May 11, 2016, November 28, 2011, and August 28, 2006) were also declared one-off public holidays. However, the 2016 Local Government Elections (LGE) on Friday, March18, 2016, were not declared as a public, as announced by the then Minister of Natural Resources of Guyana, Raphael Trotman, at a post-cabinet press briefing ("Traditionally in other parts of the world, Local Government Elections are not treated, of course unfortunately, with the same level of importance or urgency as regional or national elections and they are traditionally accompanied by lower turnouts or interest").
Guyana Denies September 1st Public Holiday Guyana Government Information Agency (GINA) Guyana's Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a communique stating that a report on the Stabroek News website that Monday, September 1st, 2025, has been declared a public holiday was based on a fake notice. As per the aforementioned communique, "The Ministry of Home Affairs advises the public that the image currently circulating online, claiming that Monday, September 1, 2025, has been declared a public holiday, is FAKE. This fabricated notice, which falsely appears to be issued by the Ministry under the Public Holidays Act, did not originate from the Ministry of Home Affairs and should be disregarded in its entirety. We urge members of the public not to share or repost this false information and to always verify announcements through the Ministry’s official website at www.moha.gov.gy or our verified communication platforms". The fake posting had been based on the date of the upcoming General Elections, on September 1st. Recall that, the date of the last general elections, Monday, March 2, 2020, were declared a one-off public holiday by then Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan. The dates of the 3 preceding general elections (May 11, 2016, November 28, 2011, and August 28, 2006) were also declared one-off public holidays. However, the 2016 Local Government Elections (LGE) on Friday, March18, 2016, were not declared as a public, as announced by the then Minister of Natural Resources of Guyana, Raphael Trotman, at a post-cabinet press briefing ("Traditionally in other parts of the world, Local Government Elections are not treated, of course unfortunately, with the same level of importance or urgency as regional or national elections and they are traditionally accompanied by lower turnouts or interest").
Indonesia Issues August 18 Public Holiday Decree Situs Resmi Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Kesejahteraan Rakyat (Jakarta) Three Indonesian ministers, namely the Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (Menpan RB) Rini Wdiyantini, the Minister of Manpower Yassierli, and the Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar, have finally issued an official decree designating Monday, August 18, 2025, as an additional holiday to commemorate the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. However, contrary to expectations, the aforementioned Joint Decree (SKB) of the Minister of Religious Affairs, the Minister of Manpower, and the Minister of PAN-RB Number 933 of 2025, Number 1 of 2025, and Number 3 of 2025 concerning Amendments to the Joint Decree of the Minister of Religious Affairs, the Minister of Manpower, and the Minister of PAN-RB Number 1017 of 2024, Number 2 of 2024, and Number 2 of 2024 concerning National Holidays and Joint Leave in 2025, declares Monday, August 18, 2025, as a cuti bersama (joint leave), rather than a general public holiday. Recall that, late last week, Indonesian Deputy State Secretary Minister, Juri Ardiantoro, had announced that President Prabowo Subianto had declared Monday, August 18, 2025, as an additional national day public holiday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia ("The government will make Monday, August 18, 2025, which is one day after the ceremony commemorating the proclamation, the people's party, the independence carnival, as a day off"), all the while adding that this special holiday only applies for this year. The aforementioned declaration of Monday, August 18, 2025, as a one-off public holiday was to amend the terms of last October's Joint Decrees Number 1017 of 2024, Number 2 of 2024 and Number 2 of 2024 (SKB), of the Minister of Religion, Minister of Manpower, Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform detailing the list of public holidays and collective leave days for the calendar year 2025. Under similar circumstances, in 2003 and 2008, namely National Independence Day falling on a Sunday, Monday, August 18, was declared a one-off public holiday, rather than a cuti bersama. The cuti bersama were introduced after the 2002 Bali bombings to promote internal tourism as a means to compensate diminishing foreign tourism.
Indonesia Issues August 18 Public Holiday Decree Situs Resmi Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Kesejahteraan Rakyat (Jakarta) Three Indonesian ministers, namely the Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (Menpan RB) Rini Wdiyantini, the Minister of Manpower Yassierli, and the Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar, have finally issued an official decree designating Monday, August 18, 2025, as an additional holiday to commemorate the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. However, contrary to expectations, the aforementioned Joint Decree (SKB) of the Minister of Religious Affairs, the Minister of Manpower, and the Minister of PAN-RB Number 933 of 2025, Number 1 of 2025, and Number 3 of 2025 concerning Amendments to the Joint Decree of the Minister of Religious Affairs, the Minister of Manpower, and the Minister of PAN-RB Number 1017 of 2024, Number 2 of 2024, and Number 2 of 2024 concerning National Holidays and Joint Leave in 2025, declares Monday, August 18, 2025, as a cuti bersama (joint leave), rather than a general public holiday. Recall that, late last week, Indonesian Deputy State Secretary Minister, Juri Ardiantoro, had announced that President Prabowo Subianto had declared Monday, August 18, 2025, as an additional national day public holiday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia ("The government will make Monday, August 18, 2025, which is one day after the ceremony commemorating the proclamation, the people's party, the independence carnival, as a day off"), all the while adding that this special holiday only applies for this year. The aforementioned declaration of Monday, August 18, 2025, as a one-off public holiday was to amend the terms of last October's Joint Decrees Number 1017 of 2024, Number 2 of 2024 and Number 2 of 2024 (SKB), of the Minister of Religion, Minister of Manpower, Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform detailing the list of public holidays and collective leave days for the calendar year 2025. Under similar circumstances, in 2003 and 2008, namely National Independence Day falling on a Sunday, Monday, August 18, was declared a one-off public holiday, rather than a cuti bersama. The cuti bersama were introduced after the 2002 Bali bombings to promote internal tourism as a means to compensate diminishing foreign tourism.
Saint Helena Gazettes 2026 Public Holidays Changes St Helena Government (Jamestown) The Government of Saint Helena has issued a Proclamation in the St. Helena Government Gazette (Vol.LXI, No.97, No.165) in reference to the Public Holidays Ordinance, 1945. As per the aforementioned proclamation, "Whereas Boxing Day, the 26th day of December 2026 is observed as a public holiday under the First Schedule to the Public Holidays Ordinance, 1945. And Whereas 26 December 2026 falls on a Saturday and section 2(3) of that Ordinance provides that if a Public Holiday other than Christmas Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Governor shall, by Proclamation, direct that either the preceding Friday or the following Monday be observed as a Public Holiday in lieu of that Saturday or Sunday. Now Therefore, I, Nigel Phillips, CBE, Governor of St Helena, acting in accordance with section 2(3) of the Public Holidays Ordinance, 1945, direct that Monday, 28 December 2026 shall be observed as a public holiday in lieu of 26 December 2026.".
Saint Helena Gazettes 2026 Public Holidays Changes St Helena Government (Jamestown) The Government of Saint Helena has issued a Proclamation in the St. Helena Government Gazette (Vol.LXI, No.97, No.165) in reference to the Public Holidays Ordinance, 1945. As per the aforementioned proclamation, "Whereas Boxing Day, the 26th day of December 2026 is observed as a public holiday under the First Schedule to the Public Holidays Ordinance, 1945. And Whereas 26 December 2026 falls on a Saturday and section 2(3) of that Ordinance provides that if a Public Holiday other than Christmas Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Governor shall, by Proclamation, direct that either the preceding Friday or the following Monday be observed as a Public Holiday in lieu of that Saturday or Sunday. Now Therefore, I, Nigel Phillips, CBE, Governor of St Helena, acting in accordance with section 2(3) of the Public Holidays Ordinance, 1945, direct that Monday, 28 December 2026 shall be observed as a public holiday in lieu of 26 December 2026.".
Bagmati Province Declares August 10 Gaijatra Public Holiday मुख्यमन्त्री तथा मन्त्रिपरिषद्को कार्यालय (Kathmandu) The Ministry for Interior Affairs and Law of the Government of Nepal's Bagmati Province has announced that the provincial government cabinet had decided to declare a regional public holiday on Sunday, August 10, 2025, to mark the Gaijatra festival. The aforementioned declaration of a provincial public holiday thus extends the scope of the Sunday, August 10, 2025, public holiday, as in last February's list of official public holidays for the Nepalese year B.S. 2082 (mid-April 2025 to mid-April 2026), the Gaijatra public holiday had been listed as limited to the Kathmandu Valley. Recall that in early March 2023, the Nepalese federal government cabinet decided that provincial governments could add up to six public holidays a year to the national list of Nepalese public holidays released by the federal government, with the Federal Ministry of Home Affairs deciding the regional public holidays to be observed in the Kathmandu valley.
Bagmati Province Declares August 10 Gaijatra Public Holiday मुख्यमन्त्री तथा मन्त्रिपरिषद्को कार्यालय (Kathmandu) The Ministry for Interior Affairs and Law of the Government of Nepal's Bagmati Province has announced that the provincial government cabinet had decided to declare a regional public holiday on Sunday, August 10, 2025, to mark the Gaijatra festival. The aforementioned declaration of a provincial public holiday thus extends the scope of the Sunday, August 10, 2025, public holiday, as in last February's list of official public holidays for the Nepalese year B.S. 2082 (mid-April 2025 to mid-April 2026), the Gaijatra public holiday had been listed as limited to the Kathmandu Valley. Recall that in early March 2023, the Nepalese federal government cabinet decided that provincial governments could add up to six public holidays a year to the national list of Nepalese public holidays released by the federal government, with the Federal Ministry of Home Affairs deciding the regional public holidays to be observed in the Kathmandu valley.
Bangladesh To Annualize August 5 Public Holiday Ministry of Public Administration, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (Dhaka) The Interim chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman, has announced that today's August 5 Mass Uprising Day public holiday commemorating the ouster of the previous Awami League administration, would be an annual public holiday. Recall that, shortly after coming to power, last year, Bangladesh's interim military government had overhauled the list of annual public holidays. This overhaul included the extension of both the Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and the Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) annual public holidays to last 5 days and 6 days, respectively, as well as an extension to the annual Durga Puja public holiday to last 2 days. However, Bangladesh's military canceled the March 17 public holiday commemorating the birthday of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day, as well as the annual August 15, National Mourning Day, public holiday, which had been closely tied to the previous Awami League administration. Last June, the Cabinet Division of Bangladesh's interim military government issued 2 notices declaring 3 new national days to commemorate last July's uprising which led to the fall of the Awami League administration, including August 5 to be marked as July Mass Uprising Day, a category A public holiday. Finally, at the end of last month, Bangladesh's Central Bank released an amended version of its previously-released list of official bank holidays for the calendar year 2025 which now included a bank holiday for July Revolution Day on August 5.
Bangladesh To Annualize August 5 Public Holiday Ministry of Public Administration, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (Dhaka) The Interim chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman, has announced that today's August 5 Mass Uprising Day public holiday commemorating the ouster of the previous Awami League administration, would be an annual public holiday. Recall that, shortly after coming to power, last year, Bangladesh's interim military government had overhauled the list of annual public holidays. This overhaul included the extension of both the Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and the Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) annual public holidays to last 5 days and 6 days, respectively, as well as an extension to the annual Durga Puja public holiday to last 2 days. However, Bangladesh's military canceled the March 17 public holiday commemorating the birthday of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day, as well as the annual August 15, National Mourning Day, public holiday, which had been closely tied to the previous Awami League administration. Last June, the Cabinet Division of Bangladesh's interim military government issued 2 notices declaring 3 new national days to commemorate last July's uprising which led to the fall of the Awami League administration, including August 5 to be marked as July Mass Uprising Day, a category A public holiday. Finally, at the end of last month, Bangladesh's Central Bank released an amended version of its previously-released list of official bank holidays for the calendar year 2025 which now included a bank holiday for July Revolution Day on August 5.
Bolivia Gazettes Extended Bicentennial Public Holidays Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social (La Paz) Bolivia's Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, has issued the press release DGTHSO-030/2025 which officializes last week's announcement of this year's extended National Day public holidays. As per the aforementioned press release, "In commemoration of the Bicentennial of Bolivia's Independence, Wednesday, August 6 and Thursday, August 7 will be national holidays with the suspension of public and private activities". Recall that, last week, Bolivia's Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security, Víctor Quispe, had announced that the upcoming public holiday commemorating Bolivia's anniversary would be extended to last two days, Wednesday, August 6th and Thursday, August 7th, 2025. As per the aforementioned Supreme Decree 5438, "in order to highlight and promote the participation of Bolivians in the celebration of the Bolivian Bicentennial, August 6 and 7 are declared a national holiday, with the suspension of public and private work activities for the current fiscal year only". Earlier this year, the Government of Bolivia released the Supreme Decree 5328, signed by President Luis Arce, and which declared 9 departmental public holidays in 2025 to coincide with Bolivia's bicentennial. Over the past 2 decades, calls to extends the August 6 public holiday were often discussed, but never follow-up upon, except in 2014, when Bolivia's Ministry of Labour announced that Thursday, August 7, 2014, would be observed as an additional optional non-working public sector holiday in Bolivia's capital city of La Paz (tolerancia con suspensión de actividades).
Bolivia Gazettes Extended Bicentennial Public Holidays Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social (La Paz) Bolivia's Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, has issued the press release DGTHSO-030/2025 which officializes last week's announcement of this year's extended National Day public holidays. As per the aforementioned press release, "In commemoration of the Bicentennial of Bolivia's Independence, Wednesday, August 6 and Thursday, August 7 will be national holidays with the suspension of public and private activities". Recall that, last week, Bolivia's Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security, Víctor Quispe, had announced that the upcoming public holiday commemorating Bolivia's anniversary would be extended to last two days, Wednesday, August 6th and Thursday, August 7th, 2025. As per the aforementioned Supreme Decree 5438, "in order to highlight and promote the participation of Bolivians in the celebration of the Bolivian Bicentennial, August 6 and 7 are declared a national holiday, with the suspension of public and private work activities for the current fiscal year only". Earlier this year, the Government of Bolivia released the Supreme Decree 5328, signed by President Luis Arce, and which declared 9 departmental public holidays in 2025 to coincide with Bolivia's bicentennial. Over the past 2 decades, calls to extends the August 6 public holiday were often discussed, but never follow-up upon, except in 2014, when Bolivia's Ministry of Labour announced that Thursday, August 7, 2014, would be observed as an additional optional non-working public sector holiday in Bolivia's capital city of La Paz (tolerancia con suspensión de actividades).
Chile Rejects Regional Public Holidays Bill Tramitación de proyectos (Congreso Nacional de Chile) The Chilean Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday rejected, by a vote of 66-53-15, the idea of legislating a bill that sought to establish a permanent legal holiday for each region of the country, including August 10 in Tarapacá, in honor of San Lorenzo. Due to the no and abstentions having a majority, the bill was rejected outright, preventing it from being discussed again in Congress for at least a year. That bill had been initiated by Chilean President, Gabriel Boric, a year ago, with the aim to establish 16 new permanent regional holidays, all the while canceling the annual national public holiday of October 12 (formerly named Día de la Raza and renamed Encuentro de Dos Mundos since 2010). At that time, the Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, Álvaro Elizalde, had justified the legislative initiative as follows, "the objective of the project is to have a permanent regulation in which each region will have a holiday according to its history and traditions". The relevant articles of the aforementioned bill read; "Articulo 1°.- Declárase feriado legal un día al año, para cada región del país, y deróganse las leyes N 20.663, 20.768 y 3.810. La fecha y denominación de cada feriado regional será establecida mediante Decreto Supremo del Presidente de la República, a propuesta del respectivo Gobierno Regional previo acuerdo del Consejo Regional, de conformidad a lo establecido en esta ley." and "Artículo 3°.- Suprímese, en el artículo único de la ley N°19.668, la frase “12 de octubre, día del descubrimiento de dos mundos".
Chile Rejects Regional Public Holidays Bill Tramitación de proyectos (Congreso Nacional de Chile) The Chilean Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday rejected, by a vote of 66-53-15, the idea of legislating a bill that sought to establish a permanent legal holiday for each region of the country, including August 10 in Tarapacá, in honor of San Lorenzo. Due to the no and abstentions having a majority, the bill was rejected outright, preventing it from being discussed again in Congress for at least a year. That bill had been initiated by Chilean President, Gabriel Boric, a year ago, with the aim to establish 16 new permanent regional holidays, all the while canceling the annual national public holiday of October 12 (formerly named Día de la Raza and renamed Encuentro de Dos Mundos since 2010). At that time, the Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, Álvaro Elizalde, had justified the legislative initiative as follows, "the objective of the project is to have a permanent regulation in which each region will have a holiday according to its history and traditions". The relevant articles of the aforementioned bill read; "Articulo 1°.- Declárase feriado legal un día al año, para cada región del país, y deróganse las leyes N 20.663, 20.768 y 3.810. La fecha y denominación de cada feriado regional será establecida mediante Decreto Supremo del Presidente de la República, a propuesta del respectivo Gobierno Regional previo acuerdo del Consejo Regional, de conformidad a lo establecido en esta ley." and "Artículo 3°.- Suprímese, en el artículo único de la ley N°19.668, la frase “12 de octubre, día del descubrimiento de dos mundos".
Indonesia Announces August 18 Public Holiday Decree Situs Resmi Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Kesejahteraan Rakyat (Jakarta) Indonesian Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, has announced that the government would soon issue a Joint Decree (SKB) regarding the national holiday of August 18th, 2025 ("In the next day or two, we will inform the public that the Joint Decree on the 18th will be a holiday"). Recall that, late last week, Indonesian Deputy State Secretary Minister, Juri Ardiantoro, had announced that President Prabowo Subianto had declared Monday, August 18, 2025, as an additional national day public holiday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia ("The government will make Monday, August 18, 2025, which is one day after the ceremony commemorating the proclamation, the people's party, the independence carnival, as a day off"), all the while adding that this special holiday only applies for this year. The aforementioned declaration of Monday, August 18, 2025, as a one-off public holiday amends the terms of last October's Joint Decrees Number 1017 of 2024, Number 2 of 2024 and Number 2 of 2024 (SKB), of the Minister of Religion, Minister of Manpower, Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform detailing the list of public holidays and collective leave days for the calendar year 2025. Recall that, under similar circumstances, namely National Independence Day falling on a Sunday, Monday, August 18, was also declared a one-off public holiday in 2003 and 2008.
Indonesia Announces August 18 Public Holiday Decree Situs Resmi Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Kesejahteraan Rakyat (Jakarta) Indonesian Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, has announced that the government would soon issue a Joint Decree (SKB) regarding the national holiday of August 18th, 2025 ("In the next day or two, we will inform the public that the Joint Decree on the 18th will be a holiday"). Recall that, late last week, Indonesian Deputy State Secretary Minister, Juri Ardiantoro, had announced that President Prabowo Subianto had declared Monday, August 18, 2025, as an additional national day public holiday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia ("The government will make Monday, August 18, 2025, which is one day after the ceremony commemorating the proclamation, the people's party, the independence carnival, as a day off"), all the while adding that this special holiday only applies for this year. The aforementioned declaration of Monday, August 18, 2025, as a one-off public holiday amends the terms of last October's Joint Decrees Number 1017 of 2024, Number 2 of 2024 and Number 2 of 2024 (SKB), of the Minister of Religion, Minister of Manpower, Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform detailing the list of public holidays and collective leave days for the calendar year 2025. Recall that, under similar circumstances, namely National Independence Day falling on a Sunday, Monday, August 18, was also declared a one-off public holiday in 2003 and 2008.
Romania Declares August 7 National Day Of Mourning Mediafax (Bucharest) The Romanian government has declared Thursday, August 7, 2025, as a national day of mourning in memory of the former Romanian President, Ion Iliescu, who died earlier today. According to the aforementioned announcement, the Romanian flag will be flown at half-mast on all public buildings, including those of central and local authorities, but August 7, 2025, will not be a public holiday.
Romania Declares August 7 National Day Of Mourning Mediafax (Bucharest) The Romanian government has declared Thursday, August 7, 2025, as a national day of mourning in memory of the former Romanian President, Ion Iliescu, who died earlier today. According to the aforementioned announcement, the Romanian flag will be flown at half-mast on all public buildings, including those of central and local authorities, but August 7, 2025, will not be a public holiday.
