worldwide public holidays news and updates of the past two weeks
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Benin Declares May 20 Paid Public Holiday Source: Site officiel du gouvernement du Bénin (Cotonou). Benin's Minister of Labour and Social Security, Adidjatou A. Mathys, has issued the communique No.006/MTFP/DC/SGM/DGT/SA announcing that the government of Bénin had declared Monday, May 20, 2024, as a paid public holiday throughout the Bénin on account of Pentecost Monday. As per the aforementioned communique, "Le Ministre du Travail et de la Fonction Publique rappelle que conformément aux dispositions de la loi n° 90-019 du 27 juillet 1990 fixant les fêtes légales en République du Bénin, le lundi 20 mai 2024, Lundi de Pentecôte, est férié, chômé et payé sur toute l'étendue du territoire national.".
Benin Declares May 20 Paid Public Holiday Source: Site officiel du gouvernement du Bénin (Cotonou). Benin's Minister of Labour and Social Security, Adidjatou A. Mathys, has issued the communique No.006/MTFP/DC/SGM/DGT/SA announcing that the government of Bénin had declared Monday, May 20, 2024, as a paid public holiday throughout the Bénin on account of Pentecost Monday. As per the aforementioned communique, "Le Ministre du Travail et de la Fonction Publique rappelle que conformément aux dispositions de la loi n° 90-019 du 27 juillet 1990 fixant les fêtes légales en République du Bénin, le lundi 20 mai 2024, Lundi de Pentecôte, est férié, chômé et payé sur toute l'étendue du territoire national.".
DR Congo Declares FARDC Public Holiday On May 17 Source: Présidence de la République Démocratique du Congo (Kinshasa). The ministre de l’emploi, travail et prévoyance sociale of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Claudine Ndusi M’Kembe, has issued the press communique N°034/CAB.MIN/ETPS/CNM/PFU/JDO/05/2024 declaring Friday, May 17, 2024, a public holiday in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as per the decree n⁰23/042 du 30 mars 2023, signed by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. As per the aforementioned communique, "aux termes de l’ordonnance n⁰23/042 du 30 mars 2023 fixant la liste des jours fériés légaux en République Démocratique du Congo, la journée du vendredi 17 mai 2024, journée des Forces armées de la RDC, a été proclamée jour férié, et par conséquent, aucun travail ne pourra être exercé ni par l’employeur ni par l’employé.".
DR Congo Declares FARDC Public Holiday On May 17 Source: Présidence de la République Démocratique du Congo (Kinshasa). The ministre de l’emploi, travail et prévoyance sociale of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Claudine Ndusi M’Kembe, has issued the press communique N°034/CAB.MIN/ETPS/CNM/PFU/JDO/05/2024 declaring Friday, May 17, 2024, a public holiday in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as per the decree n⁰23/042 du 30 mars 2023, signed by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. As per the aforementioned communique, "aux termes de l’ordonnance n⁰23/042 du 30 mars 2023 fixant la liste des jours fériés légaux en République Démocratique du Congo, la journée du vendredi 17 mai 2024, journée des Forces armées de la RDC, a été proclamée jour férié, et par conséquent, aucun travail ne pourra être exercé ni par l’employeur ni par l’employé.".
Extremadura 2025 Public Holidays Approved Source: Diario Oficial de Extremadura (DOE). The Consejo de Gobierno of Spain's Autonomous Region of Extremadura has approved last March's draft list of regional public holidays for the calendar year 2025 (Calendario Laboral 2025). As per the aforementioned list, contrary to what was the case in 2023 and 2024, Shrove Tuesday will not be a public holiday in Extremadura in 2025, while the day off of October 12 will be moved to Monday, October 13, 2025. Recall that a draft decree of the 2025 regional public holidays in Extremadura, was published on March 1st by the Government of María Guardiola's Ministry of Economy, Employment and Digital Transformation, followed by a 15-day period of public consultations. Recall that, in 2023, rather than declaring a day in lieu public holiday on Monday, January 2, 2023, the PSOE Junta of Extremadura chose to declare Shrove/Carnival Tuesday a public holiday on February 21. And, in 2024, Shrove/Carnival Tuesday was once again declared a public holiday on February 13, rather than declaring a day in lieu public holiday on Monday, September 9, 2024.
Extremadura 2025 Public Holidays Approved Source: Diario Oficial de Extremadura (DOE). The Consejo de Gobierno of Spain's Autonomous Region of Extremadura has approved last March's draft list of regional public holidays for the calendar year 2025 (Calendario Laboral 2025). As per the aforementioned list, contrary to what was the case in 2023 and 2024, Shrove Tuesday will not be a public holiday in Extremadura in 2025, while the day off of October 12 will be moved to Monday, October 13, 2025. Recall that a draft decree of the 2025 regional public holidays in Extremadura, was published on March 1st by the Government of María Guardiola's Ministry of Economy, Employment and Digital Transformation, followed by a 15-day period of public consultations. Recall that, in 2023, rather than declaring a day in lieu public holiday on Monday, January 2, 2023, the PSOE Junta of Extremadura chose to declare Shrove/Carnival Tuesday a public holiday on February 21. And, in 2024, Shrove/Carnival Tuesday was once again declared a public holiday on February 13, rather than declaring a day in lieu public holiday on Monday, September 9, 2024.
Papua New Guinea Confirms King's Birthday Public Holiday Source: Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby). The Secretary to the Department of Personnel Management of the National Government of Papua New Guinea, Taies Sansan, has issued a circular declaring Monday, June 17, 2024, as a public holiday to commemorate the birthday of King Charles III. Asper the aforementioned circular, "This circular instruction is served to advise that Monday June 17, 2024, is declared as a National Public Holiday as confirmed by the National Executive Council’s Decision and National Gazette No. 698 of August 25, 2023. All public servants are required to resume normal duties on Tuesday June 18, 2024.".
Papua New Guinea Confirms King's Birthday Public Holiday Source: Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby). The Secretary to the Department of Personnel Management of the National Government of Papua New Guinea, Taies Sansan, has issued a circular declaring Monday, June 17, 2024, as a public holiday to commemorate the birthday of King Charles III. Asper the aforementioned circular, "This circular instruction is served to advise that Monday June 17, 2024, is declared as a National Public Holiday as confirmed by the National Executive Council’s Decision and National Gazette No. 698 of August 25, 2023. All public servants are required to resume normal duties on Tuesday June 18, 2024.".
Bangladesh Eid-ul-Azha Public Sector Holidays Expected To Last 5 Days Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). According to the list of 2024 public holidays released by the Government of Bangladesh last year, the government workers of Bangladesh are expected to observe their Eid-ul-Azha holidays from Friday, June 14, until Tuesday, June, 18, 2024, inclusively, with the day of Eid-ul-Azha expected to be on Monday, June 17, 2025.
Bangladesh Eid-ul-Azha Public Sector Holidays Expected To Last 5 Days Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). According to the list of 2024 public holidays released by the Government of Bangladesh last year, the government workers of Bangladesh are expected to observe their Eid-ul-Azha holidays from Friday, June 14, until Tuesday, June, 18, 2024, inclusively, with the day of Eid-ul-Azha expected to be on Monday, June 17, 2025.
Burkina Faso Public Holiday May 15 Source: Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale (Ouagadougou). Earlier today, the Ministère de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et de la Protection Sociale of Burkina Faso issued an official communiqué declaring Wednesday, May 15, 2024, as a public holiday in Burkina Faso on account of the recently decreed new annual public holiday for the Journée des Coutumes et Traditions (JCT). As per the aforementioned communique, "en vertu du Décret N° 2024-0500/PRES- TRANS/ PM/MATDS/ MFPTPS/MCCAT du 06 mai 2024, cette journée sera chômée et payée pour tous les travailleurs et employeurs des secteurs public, para-public et privé.". Recall that the Decree No.2024-0500/ PRES-TRANS/PM/ MATDS/MFPTPS/ MCCAT was published following last week's meeting of the Government Cabinet of Burkina Faso, and that article 1 of that decree reads "Il est institué, conformément à la loi n°079-2015/CNT du 23 novembre 2015 portant institution des fêtes légales et évènements à caractère historique, la Journée des coutumes et traditions au Burkina Faso en abrégé JCT". The initial decision to declare a new annual public holiday on May 15 was initiated, early last March, by Burkina Faso's Cabinet and had been announced by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Security, Emile Zerbo.
Burkina Faso Public Holiday May 15 Source: Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale (Ouagadougou). Earlier today, the Ministère de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et de la Protection Sociale of Burkina Faso issued an official communiqué declaring Wednesday, May 15, 2024, as a public holiday in Burkina Faso on account of the recently decreed new annual public holiday for the Journée des Coutumes et Traditions (JCT). As per the aforementioned communique, "en vertu du Décret N° 2024-0500/PRES- TRANS/ PM/MATDS/ MFPTPS/MCCAT du 06 mai 2024, cette journée sera chômée et payée pour tous les travailleurs et employeurs des secteurs public, para-public et privé.". Recall that the Decree No.2024-0500/ PRES-TRANS/PM/ MATDS/MFPTPS/ MCCAT was published following last week's meeting of the Government Cabinet of Burkina Faso, and that article 1 of that decree reads "Il est institué, conformément à la loi n°079-2015/CNT du 23 novembre 2015 portant institution des fêtes légales et évènements à caractère historique, la Journée des coutumes et traditions au Burkina Faso en abrégé JCT". The initial decision to declare a new annual public holiday on May 15 was initiated, early last March, by Burkina Faso's Cabinet and had been announced by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Security, Emile Zerbo.
Latvia 2025 Public Holidays Approved Source: The Welfare Ministry of the Government of Latvia (Riga). The Latvian Cabinet has approved the draft decree On postponing the working day in 2025, whereby the 2 working days of May 2 and November 17 will be moved to May 10 and November 8, 2025, respectively. The aforementioned draft decree had been released by the Latvian Ministry of Welfare, late last month, moving 2 working days to a nearby Saturday, a practice that has been followed by Latvia for over 15 years, with very few exceptions (2011, 2016, and 2022). The government's decision applies to public administration bodies financed from the state budget and their employees, for whom a five-day working week is established from Monday to Friday. For municipal and private enterprises and organizations, the transfer of working days is advisory.
Latvia 2025 Public Holidays Approved Source: The Welfare Ministry of the Government of Latvia (Riga). The Latvian Cabinet has approved the draft decree On postponing the working day in 2025, whereby the 2 working days of May 2 and November 17 will be moved to May 10 and November 8, 2025, respectively. The aforementioned draft decree had been released by the Latvian Ministry of Welfare, late last month, moving 2 working days to a nearby Saturday, a practice that has been followed by Latvia for over 15 years, with very few exceptions (2011, 2016, and 2022). The government's decision applies to public administration bodies financed from the state budget and their employees, for whom a five-day working week is established from Monday to Friday. For municipal and private enterprises and organizations, the transfer of working days is advisory.
Jordan Declares May 25 Independence Day Public Holiday Source: Jordan News Agency Petra (Amman). Jordanian Prime Minister, Bisher Al-Khasawneh, has declared a public holiday on Saturday, May 25, 2024, to mark the 78th anniversary of Jordan's independence. The aforementioned Independence Day public holiday will apply to ministries, public departments and universities, municipalities, joint services councils, Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), and government-owned companies. Although the above may seem to indicate that May 25 would be a public sector holiday only, back in October 2020, the then spokesperson for the Jordanian Ministry of Labour, Mohammad al-Zyoud, had clarified that "all official and religious holidays in Jordan include both public and private sectors" adding that "According to article 59 of the Labour Law, which clarifies the mechanism for making the employer work on his weekly, religious or public holidays, official communications issued for this purpose include private sector institutions without mentioning them in the communications.". A similar clarification was issued again at the end of December 2023 by the Jordanian Ministry of Labour.
Jordan Declares May 25 Independence Day Public Holiday Source: Jordan News Agency Petra (Amman). Jordanian Prime Minister, Bisher Al-Khasawneh, has declared a public holiday on Saturday, May 25, 2024, to mark the 78th anniversary of Jordan's independence. The aforementioned Independence Day public holiday will apply to ministries, public departments and universities, municipalities, joint services councils, Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), and government-owned companies. Although the above may seem to indicate that May 25 would be a public sector holiday only, back in October 2020, the then spokesperson for the Jordanian Ministry of Labour, Mohammad al-Zyoud, had clarified that "all official and religious holidays in Jordan include both public and private sectors" adding that "According to article 59 of the Labour Law, which clarifies the mechanism for making the employer work on his weekly, religious or public holidays, official communications issued for this purpose include private sector institutions without mentioning them in the communications.". A similar clarification was issued again at the end of December 2023 by the Jordanian Ministry of Labour.
Liberia Declares May 14 Public Holiday For National Unification Day Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Monrovia). The President of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has issued a Proclamation declaring Tuesday, May 14, 2024, as National Unification Day, a public holiday to be observed throughout the Republic of Liberia. According to a Foreign Ministry release, "the day is in consonance with an act of Legislature of the Republic passed in 1960, declaring the 14th of May of each year as a National Unification Day, realizing the benefits to be accrued from the Unification and Integration Policy". Such last-minute re-confirmation of annual public holidays are a staple of the Liberian public holidays calendar.
Liberia Declares May 14 Public Holiday For National Unification Day Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Monrovia). The President of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has issued a Proclamation declaring Tuesday, May 14, 2024, as National Unification Day, a public holiday to be observed throughout the Republic of Liberia. According to a Foreign Ministry release, "the day is in consonance with an act of Legislature of the Republic passed in 1960, declaring the 14th of May of each year as a National Unification Day, realizing the benefits to be accrued from the Unification and Integration Policy". Such last-minute re-confirmation of annual public holidays are a staple of the Liberian public holidays calendar.
South Sudan Declares May 17 SPLA Public Holiday Source: Government of South Sudan Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development (Juba). South Sudan’s Undersecretary to the Minister of Labour, Mary Hillary Wani Pitia, has announced that the government has declared Thursday, May 16, 2024, as a public holiday in South Sudan. As per the aforementioned statement, "The National Ministry of Labour hereby informs all the Civil Service Institutions, Commissions, Diplomatic Missions, UN Agencies, International and National Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the Public at large that the SPLA Day falls on Thursday 16th May 2024 and it is a One-day Public Holiday. Work will resume on Friday 17th May 2024.".
South Sudan Declares May 17 SPLA Public Holiday Source: Government of South Sudan Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development (Juba). South Sudan’s Undersecretary to the Minister of Labour, Mary Hillary Wani Pitia, has announced that the government has declared Thursday, May 16, 2024, as a public holiday in South Sudan. As per the aforementioned statement, "The National Ministry of Labour hereby informs all the Civil Service Institutions, Commissions, Diplomatic Missions, UN Agencies, International and National Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the Public at large that the SPLA Day falls on Thursday 16th May 2024 and it is a One-day Public Holiday. Work will resume on Friday 17th May 2024.".
Asturias 2025 Public Holidays Gazetted Source: Boletín Oficial del Principado de Asturias (BOPA). The Principado de Asturias autonomous region of Spain has gazetted the 2025 list of regional public holidays in the Asturias, in the Decreto 36/2024, de 26 de abril, del Principado de Asturias, por el que se sustituye para el año 2025 una de las fiestas de ámbito nacional por el día 8 de septiembre, Día de Asturias (BOPA de 9 de mayo de 2024). Today's publication of the list of regional public holidays in Spain's Asturias autonomous region comes much later than it was in past years, when the calendario laboral was announced in February or March.
Asturias 2025 Public Holidays Gazetted Source: Boletín Oficial del Principado de Asturias (BOPA). The Principado de Asturias autonomous region of Spain has gazetted the 2025 list of regional public holidays in the Asturias, in the Decreto 36/2024, de 26 de abril, del Principado de Asturias, por el que se sustituye para el año 2025 una de las fiestas de ámbito nacional por el día 8 de septiembre, Día de Asturias (BOPA de 9 de mayo de 2024). Today's publication of the list of regional public holidays in Spain's Asturias autonomous region comes much later than it was in past years, when the calendario laboral was announced in February or March.
Luxemburg Observes Rare Double May 9 Public Holiday Source: Luxemburger Bankenvereinigung (Luxemburg). Today, May 9, 2024, Luxemburg is observing a double public holiday due to the rare coincidence of the long-stranding Ascension Day and the Day of Europe public holiday which was added to the list of Luxemburg's annual public holidays in 2019. Under similar circumstances, neighboring Belgium had declared Friday, May 2, 2008, as a one-off bridge public holiday to compensate Belgian workers for the fact that May Day and Ascension Day fell on the same date that year, but this was not the option chosen this year in Luxemburg. Instead, last January, Luxemburg's Chambre des Députés voted unanimously to approve the projet de loi 8266 which stipulates that all employees in Luxemburg will get an additional day of paid leave/vacation to compensate for the Day of Europe and Ascension Day public holidays falling on the same day in 2024.
Luxemburg Observes Rare Double May 9 Public Holiday Source: Luxemburger Bankenvereinigung (Luxemburg). Today, May 9, 2024, Luxemburg is observing a double public holiday due to the rare coincidence of the long-stranding Ascension Day and the Day of Europe public holiday which was added to the list of Luxemburg's annual public holidays in 2019. Under similar circumstances, neighboring Belgium had declared Friday, May 2, 2008, as a one-off bridge public holiday to compensate Belgian workers for the fact that May Day and Ascension Day fell on the same date that year, but this was not the option chosen this year in Luxemburg. Instead, last January, Luxemburg's Chambre des Députés voted unanimously to approve the projet de loi 8266 which stipulates that all employees in Luxemburg will get an additional day of paid leave/vacation to compensate for the Day of Europe and Ascension Day public holidays falling on the same day in 2024.
Pakistan Declares May 9 Annually As Black Day Source: Associated Press Of Pakistan (Islamabad). The cabinet of the federal government of Pakistan has announced that May 9 would henceforth be observed as a black day every year, to mark the anniversary of last year's riots and violence against military installations, following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan's.
Pakistan Declares May 9 Annually As Black Day Source: Associated Press Of Pakistan (Islamabad). The cabinet of the federal government of Pakistan has announced that May 9 would henceforth be observed as a black day every year, to mark the anniversary of last year's riots and violence against military installations, following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan's.
Berlin Adds May 8 and June 17 Public Holidays Source: Berliner Morgenpost (Berlin). The CDU and SPD in the Senate of Germany's city-state of Berlin has voted to declare May 8th as a recurring public holiday, every five years, to mark the anniversary of the end of World War Two. In addition, the 75th anniversary of the popular uprising in the GDR on June 17, 1953 will be celebrated as a public holiday in Berlin once in 2028. Recall that, last autumn, the government of Germany's city-state of Berlin declared May 8th as a one-off non-working state public holiday in 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, as it did in 2020, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
Berlin Adds May 8 and June 17 Public Holidays Source: Berliner Morgenpost (Berlin). The CDU and SPD in the Senate of Germany's city-state of Berlin has voted to declare May 8th as a recurring public holiday, every five years, to mark the anniversary of the end of World War Two. In addition, the 75th anniversary of the popular uprising in the GDR on June 17, 1953 will be celebrated as a public holiday in Berlin once in 2028. Recall that, last autumn, the government of Germany's city-state of Berlin declared May 8th as a one-off non-working state public holiday in 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, as it did in 2020, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
Costa Rican Movable Public Holidays Bill Progressing In The Legislature Source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social de Costa Rica (San José). Costa Rica's President, Rodrigo Chaves Robles, has convened the Legislative Assembly to consider the Bill 24,274 (Feriados con propósito: bienestar personal y familiar) which would amend the first paragraph of article 148 of the Labor Code, which defines days of rest with mandatory and non-mandatory payment, by moving 5 annual public holidays from their fixed date to the subsequent Monday. To these 5 public holidays (April 11, July 25, August 2, August 31, and December 1) would be added August 15 which would be moved to the Monday of the third week of August. The text of the aforementioned bill was sent yesterday to the National Printing Office for its first publication in the official gazette, La Gaceta, and had been initiated last month by the head of the ruling party faction, Pilar Cisneros. The creation of long weekend to promote tourism had been the crux of the Abel Pacheco's administration 2005 legislation, which specified that 4 public holidays would move from mid-week to the following Monday. But subsequent legislation was passed in 2007, 2009, and 2010 to remove all public holidays from the scope of the 2005 legislation, except for October 12. That last holiday was then replaced by a new annual public holiday on December 1st, to commemorate the Day of the Abolition of the Army. Thus, as 2019 ended, all of Costa Rica's public holidays had been made immovable again, as they had been before 2005. Then, in the summer of 2020, legislation was passed, making 5 of Costa Rica's public holidays movable until the end of 2024. And, once again, legislators chipped away at the 2020 expediente 21.941, adición de un transitorio al Artículo 148 de la Ley 2, Código de Trabajo, de 27 de agosto de 1943, para trasladar los feriados a los lunes, con el fin de promover la visita interna y el turismo durante los años 2020 al 2024, cancelling the October 12 public holiday and making the August 15 and then the July 25 public holidays fixed in late December and early January 2023-2024.
Costa Rican Movable Public Holidays Bill Progressing In The Legislature Source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social de Costa Rica (San José). Costa Rica's President, Rodrigo Chaves Robles, has convened the Legislative Assembly to consider the Bill 24,274 (Feriados con propósito: bienestar personal y familiar) which would amend the first paragraph of article 148 of the Labor Code, which defines days of rest with mandatory and non-mandatory payment, by moving 5 annual public holidays from their fixed date to the subsequent Monday. To these 5 public holidays (April 11, July 25, August 2, August 31, and December 1) would be added August 15 which would be moved to the Monday of the third week of August. The text of the aforementioned bill was sent yesterday to the National Printing Office for its first publication in the official gazette, La Gaceta, and had been initiated last month by the head of the ruling party faction, Pilar Cisneros. The creation of long weekend to promote tourism had been the crux of the Abel Pacheco's administration 2005 legislation, which specified that 4 public holidays would move from mid-week to the following Monday. But subsequent legislation was passed in 2007, 2009, and 2010 to remove all public holidays from the scope of the 2005 legislation, except for October 12. That last holiday was then replaced by a new annual public holiday on December 1st, to commemorate the Day of the Abolition of the Army. Thus, as 2019 ended, all of Costa Rica's public holidays had been made immovable again, as they had been before 2005. Then, in the summer of 2020, legislation was passed, making 5 of Costa Rica's public holidays movable until the end of 2024. And, once again, legislators chipped away at the 2020 expediente 21.941, adición de un transitorio al Artículo 148 de la Ley 2, Código de Trabajo, de 27 de agosto de 1943, para trasladar los feriados a los lunes, con el fin de promover la visita interna y el turismo durante los años 2020 al 2024, cancelling the October 12 public holiday and making the August 15 and then the July 25 public holidays fixed in late December and early January 2023-2024.
Ecuador Decrees May 24 Public Holiday VAT Reduction Source: Agencia de Noticias del Ecuador y Sudamérica (ANDES). Ecuador's President, Daniel Noboa Azín, has signed the Executive Decree No. 259 ordering the reduction of the general rate of VAT to 8% during the upcoming May 24 public holiday corresponding to the Battle of Pichincha. The aforementioned decree covers Friday the 24th, Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th of May 2024.
Ecuador Decrees May 24 Public Holiday VAT Reduction Source: Agencia de Noticias del Ecuador y Sudamérica (ANDES). Ecuador's President, Daniel Noboa Azín, has signed the Executive Decree No. 259 ordering the reduction of the general rate of VAT to 8% during the upcoming May 24 public holiday corresponding to the Battle of Pichincha. The aforementioned decree covers Friday the 24th, Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th of May 2024.
Kenya Declares National Tree Growing Day Public Holiday Source: The Nation (Nairobi). Kenyan Government Spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, has announced that the Kenyan Government had declared Friday, May 10, 2024, as another one-off public holiday to mark the National Tree Growing Day and to remember Kenyans who have died from floods. As per the gazette notice signed by Kenyan Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki, and published earlier today, "Now therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, declares Friday, May 1oth a public holiday for purposes of countrywide tree growing activities". Today's announcement is reminiscent of last autumn's announcement, also made by Cabinet Secretary Kindiki, that the government of Kenya had declared Monday, November 13, 2023, as a one-off public holiday "in which the public shall be engaged in tree growing nationwide".
Kenya Declares National Tree Growing Day Public Holiday Source: The Nation (Nairobi). Kenyan Government Spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, has announced that the Kenyan Government had declared Friday, May 10, 2024, as another one-off public holiday to mark the National Tree Growing Day and to remember Kenyans who have died from floods. As per the gazette notice signed by Kenyan Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki, and published earlier today, "Now therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, declares Friday, May 1oth a public holiday for purposes of countrywide tree growing activities". Today's announcement is reminiscent of last autumn's announcement, also made by Cabinet Secretary Kindiki, that the government of Kenya had declared Monday, November 13, 2023, as a one-off public holiday "in which the public shall be engaged in tree growing nationwide".
País Vasco 2025 Public Holidays Gazetted Source: Boletín Oficial del País Vasco (BOPV). The Vicelehendakari Segunda y Consejera de Trabajo y Empleo of Spain's Basque autonomous region (Euskadi), Idoia Mendia Cueva, has signed and gazetted the recently-announced annual calendar of official regional public holidays and bank holidays for the upcoming calendar year 2025 in Spain's Basque region. As per the aforementioned Decreto 49/2024, de 23 de abril, de la Comunidad Autónoma del País Vasco/Euskadi, por el que se aprueba el Calendario Oficial de Fiestas Laborales de la Comunidad Autónoma de Euskadi para el año 2025 (BOPV de 8 de mayo de 2024), the 2 regional public holidays chosen for 2025 are Easter Monday and Santiago Apóstol. In addition, two more holidays that must be decreed by City Councils and Provincial Councils.
País Vasco 2025 Public Holidays Gazetted Source: Boletín Oficial del País Vasco (BOPV). The Vicelehendakari Segunda y Consejera de Trabajo y Empleo of Spain's Basque autonomous region (Euskadi), Idoia Mendia Cueva, has signed and gazetted the recently-announced annual calendar of official regional public holidays and bank holidays for the upcoming calendar year 2025 in Spain's Basque region. As per the aforementioned Decreto 49/2024, de 23 de abril, de la Comunidad Autónoma del País Vasco/Euskadi, por el que se aprueba el Calendario Oficial de Fiestas Laborales de la Comunidad Autónoma de Euskadi para el año 2025 (BOPV de 8 de mayo de 2024), the 2 regional public holidays chosen for 2025 are Easter Monday and Santiago Apóstol. In addition, two more holidays that must be decreed by City Councils and Provincial Councils.
Ukraine Extends Public Holidays Cancellation Until August 11 Source: Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Kiev). The current Ukrainian martial law and cancellation of weekday public holidays has been extended for another 90 days, to run until until August 11, 2024, as per the Law of March 15, 2022 On the Organization of Labor Relations under Martial Law. The extension was voted by 339 of Ukraine's parliamentarians, with no objection.
Ukraine Extends Public Holidays Cancellation Until August 11 Source: Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Kiev). The current Ukrainian martial law and cancellation of weekday public holidays has been extended for another 90 days, to run until until August 11, 2024, as per the Law of March 15, 2022 On the Organization of Labor Relations under Martial Law. The extension was voted by 339 of Ukraine's parliamentarians, with no objection.
Venezuelan Ascensión Bank Holiday May 13 Source: Superintendencia de Instituciones del Sector Bancario (Sudeban). The Venezuelan regulatory body for the banking sector, Sudeban (Superintendencia de Instituciones del Sector Bancario) has announced that Monday, May 13, 2024, would be a bank holiday in Venezuela, on account of the upcoming Ascensión del Señor, and in line with the official list of 2024 public and banking holidays in Venezuela as announced last December by the Sudeban, in conformity with the "Ley de Reforma Parcial de la Ley de Instituciones del Sector Bancario".
Venezuelan Ascensión Bank Holiday May 13 Source: Superintendencia de Instituciones del Sector Bancario (Sudeban). The Venezuelan regulatory body for the banking sector, Sudeban (Superintendencia de Instituciones del Sector Bancario) has announced that Monday, May 13, 2024, would be a bank holiday in Venezuela, on account of the upcoming Ascensión del Señor, and in line with the official list of 2024 public and banking holidays in Venezuela as announced last December by the Sudeban, in conformity with the "Ley de Reforma Parcial de la Ley de Instituciones del Sector Bancario".
Delhi NCT Further Extends Lok Sabha Public Holidays Source: The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (New Delhi). The Government of India's National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) has published the Government vide notification F.No. 184/Addl.LC/Holiday-election/2019/539-545 which declares May 25, 2024, as a public holiday on account of the 2024 General Election to Lok Sabha. The salient part of today's vide notification reads as follows, "in pursuance of Section 135 B of the Representation of People Act, 1951, it is hereby directed that all Business Establishments including Shops, Hotels, Restaurants, Resorts etc.. Trade, Industrial Undertakings or any other Establishments which fall under the Delhi Shops and Establishment Act, 1954 and all Factories covered under the Factories Act, 1948 shall observe the day of poll i.e. the 25.05.2024 (Saturday ) as a paid holiday for their employees so as to enable them to exercise their vote.". Today's vide notification thus further amends the terms of the Government vide Notification No. F. 53/ 627/ GAD/ CN/ 2023/ dsgad-iii/ 2259-2305 of last October which specified the annual list of non-working public holidays in India's state of National Capital Territory for the calendar year 2024.
Delhi NCT Further Extends Lok Sabha Public Holidays Source: The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (New Delhi). The Government of India's National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) has published the Government vide notification F.No. 184/Addl.LC/Holiday-election/2019/539-545 which declares May 25, 2024, as a public holiday on account of the 2024 General Election to Lok Sabha. The salient part of today's vide notification reads as follows, "in pursuance of Section 135 B of the Representation of People Act, 1951, it is hereby directed that all Business Establishments including Shops, Hotels, Restaurants, Resorts etc.. Trade, Industrial Undertakings or any other Establishments which fall under the Delhi Shops and Establishment Act, 1954 and all Factories covered under the Factories Act, 1948 shall observe the day of poll i.e. the 25.05.2024 (Saturday ) as a paid holiday for their employees so as to enable them to exercise their vote.". Today's vide notification thus further amends the terms of the Government vide Notification No. F. 53/ 627/ GAD/ CN/ 2023/ dsgad-iii/ 2259-2305 of last October which specified the annual list of non-working public holidays in India's state of National Capital Territory for the calendar year 2024.
Egypt Revises 2024 Public Holidays Source: The Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt (Cairo). The Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt has published a revised list of Egyptian national public holidays for the calendar year 2024, with the date of the upcoming Arafat Day and Eid Al-Adha public holidays being moved by a day. At the beginning of January, the Egyptian Presidency had published a list of Egyptian national public holidays for the calendar year 2024. But, as we stated at the time, we expected this list to be amended over the course of the year, with many mid-week public holidays being moved to a nearby Thursday. Indeed this has since been the case, most recently for both the private and public sectors holidays on account of Labour Day and Sham El-Nessim.
Egypt Revises 2024 Public Holidays Source: The Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt (Cairo). The Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt has published a revised list of Egyptian national public holidays for the calendar year 2024, with the date of the upcoming Arafat Day and Eid Al-Adha public holidays being moved by a day. At the beginning of January, the Egyptian Presidency had published a list of Egyptian national public holidays for the calendar year 2024. But, as we stated at the time, we expected this list to be amended over the course of the year, with many mid-week public holidays being moved to a nearby Thursday. Indeed this has since been the case, most recently for both the private and public sectors holidays on account of Labour Day and Sham El-Nessim.
Kazakhstan Bridge Public Holiday May 8 Source: Electronic government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Astana). The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan has issued a reminder that tomorrow, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, will be a one-off public holiday to bridge the gap between today's May 7 Homeland Defender Day public holiday and the Victory Day public holiday on May 9. This one-off public holiday was compensated by the declaration of Saturday, May 4, 2024, as a regular working day in Kazakhstan (Перенести день отдыха с субботы 4 мая 2024 года на среду 8 мая 2024 года). Usually, the Government of Kazakhstan announces the list of one-off bridge public holidays and compensatory working Saturdays in December for the following year, but no such announcement was made in December 2023, and the draft decree On the postponement of the day of rest in 2024 (О переносе дня отдыха в 2024 году) was only posted on the eGov website of the Government of Kazakhstan on April 12 and officialized on April 18, 2024.
Kazakhstan Bridge Public Holiday May 8 Source: Electronic government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Astana). The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan has issued a reminder that tomorrow, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, will be a one-off public holiday to bridge the gap between today's May 7 Homeland Defender Day public holiday and the Victory Day public holiday on May 9. This one-off public holiday was compensated by the declaration of Saturday, May 4, 2024, as a regular working day in Kazakhstan (Перенести день отдыха с субботы 4 мая 2024 года на среду 8 мая 2024 года). Usually, the Government of Kazakhstan announces the list of one-off bridge public holidays and compensatory working Saturdays in December for the following year, but no such announcement was made in December 2023, and the draft decree On the postponement of the day of rest in 2024 (О переносе дня отдыха в 2024 году) was only posted on the eGov website of the Government of Kazakhstan on April 12 and officialized on April 18, 2024.
Kyrgyzstan Working Saturday May 11 Source: Ministry of Labor Employment and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic (Bishkek). The Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan has reminded the population that next Saturday, May 11, 2024, will be a regular working day to compensate the one-off public holiday that was observed on Friday, May 3, 2024. The aforementioned reminder is in line with last December's resolution для рационального использования выходных и нерабочих праздничных signed by the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Akylbek Zhaparov, which declared regular working days on Monday, May 6, and Saturday, May 11, 2024, so that Thursday and Friday, May 2-3, 2024, could be declared as one-off bridge public holidays. This might be the last working Saturday ever observed in Kyrgyzstan, as the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, approved changes to the annual public holidays in Kyrgyzstan, last month, in which the practice of declaring bridge public holiday compensated by working Saturdays would be canceled (subject to the approbation of Parliament of Kyrgyzstan and subsequent ratification by the President of Kyrgyzstan).
Kyrgyzstan Working Saturday May 11 Source: Ministry of Labor Employment and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic (Bishkek). The Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan has reminded the population that next Saturday, May 11, 2024, will be a regular working day to compensate the one-off public holiday that was observed on Friday, May 3, 2024. The aforementioned reminder is in line with last December's resolution для рационального использования выходных и нерабочих праздничных signed by the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Akylbek Zhaparov, which declared regular working days on Monday, May 6, and Saturday, May 11, 2024, so that Thursday and Friday, May 2-3, 2024, could be declared as one-off bridge public holidays. This might be the last working Saturday ever observed in Kyrgyzstan, as the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, approved changes to the annual public holidays in Kyrgyzstan, last month, in which the practice of declaring bridge public holiday compensated by working Saturdays would be canceled (subject to the approbation of Parliament of Kyrgyzstan and subsequent ratification by the President of Kyrgyzstan).
Benin Declares May 9th Paid Public Holiday Source: Site officiel du gouvernement du Bénin (Cotonou). Benin's Minister of Labour and Social Security, Adidjatou A. Mathys, has issued the communique No.005/MTFP/DC/SGM/DGT/SA announcing that the government of Bénin had declared Thursday, May 9th, 2024, as a paid public holiday throughout the Bénin on account of the Christian feast of the Ascension. As per the aforementioned communique, "Le Ministre du Travail et de la Fonction Publique rappelle que conformément aux dispositions de la loi n° 90-019 du 27 juillet 1990 fixant les fêtes légales en République du Bénin, le jeudi 09 mai 2024, Jour de l'Ascension, est férié, chômé et payé sur toute l’étendue du territoire national".
Benin Declares May 9th Paid Public Holiday Source: Site officiel du gouvernement du Bénin (Cotonou). Benin's Minister of Labour and Social Security, Adidjatou A. Mathys, has issued the communique No.005/MTFP/DC/SGM/DGT/SA announcing that the government of Bénin had declared Thursday, May 9th, 2024, as a paid public holiday throughout the Bénin on account of the Christian feast of the Ascension. As per the aforementioned communique, "Le Ministre du Travail et de la Fonction Publique rappelle que conformément aux dispositions de la loi n° 90-019 du 27 juillet 1990 fixant les fêtes légales en République du Bénin, le jeudi 09 mai 2024, Jour de l'Ascension, est férié, chômé et payé sur toute l’étendue du territoire national".
Burkina Faso's Day of Customs and Traditions Public Holiday Officialized Source: Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale (Ouagadougou). Following today's meeting of the Government Cabinet of Burkina Faso, the Decree No.2024-0500/ PRES-TRANS/PM/ MATDS/MFPTPS/ MCCAT was published which enshrines the earlier announcement by the same Cabinet that May 15 would henceforth be an annual public holiday to commemorate the Day of Customs and Traditions in Burkina Faso (Journée des coutumes et traditions, JCT). As per article 1 of today's decree, "Il est institué, conformément à la loi n°079-2015/CNT du 23 novembre 2015 portant institution des fêtes légales et évènements à caractère historique, la Journée des coutumes et traditions au Burkina Faso en abrégé JCT". Recall that, early last March, Burkina Faso's Cabinet had decided that henceforth, May 15 would be observed as a new annual public holiday and that the Minister of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Security, Emile Zerbo had stated that "Après les échanges, la journée du 15 mai a été choisie. Désormais, toutes les journées de 15 mai seront consacrées à la commémoration de nos coutumes et traditions".
Burkina Faso's Day of Customs and Traditions Public Holiday Officialized Source: Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale (Ouagadougou). Following today's meeting of the Government Cabinet of Burkina Faso, the Decree No.2024-0500/ PRES-TRANS/PM/ MATDS/MFPTPS/ MCCAT was published which enshrines the earlier announcement by the same Cabinet that May 15 would henceforth be an annual public holiday to commemorate the Day of Customs and Traditions in Burkina Faso (Journée des coutumes et traditions, JCT). As per article 1 of today's decree, "Il est institué, conformément à la loi n°079-2015/CNT du 23 novembre 2015 portant institution des fêtes légales et évènements à caractère historique, la Journée des coutumes et traditions au Burkina Faso en abrégé JCT". Recall that, early last March, Burkina Faso's Cabinet had decided that henceforth, May 15 would be observed as a new annual public holiday and that the Minister of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Security, Emile Zerbo had stated that "Après les échanges, la journée du 15 mai a été choisie. Désormais, toutes les journées de 15 mai seront consacrées à la commémoration de nos coutumes et traditions".
Quezon Province Public Holidays May 15 Source: Philippine Information Agency (Manila). The Office of the President of the Philippines has declared Wednesday, May 15, 2024, a special non-working public holiday in the in Sariaya in the Quezon province to mark the local celebration of the farmer’s feast and Agawan Festival. As per Proclamation 537, signed by Executive Secretary, Lucas Bersamin, "the declaration aims to give the people of Sariaya the “opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration". Note that, on May 15, 2024, three other localities in Quezon province will also celebrate similar festivals, namely; Pahiyas in Lucban town, the Araña’t Baluarte festival in Gumaca, and Mayohan in Tayabas City. Although the aforementioned Proclamation 537 occurs more than a week before the date of the Agawan Festival, much earlier than some previous announcements, we are still a long way from the 30-day delay mandated by Philippines Presidential Executive Secretary, Lucas Bersamin, in last February's Memorandum Order (MO) 20 which, in reaction to a spate of regional and municipal public holidays declared at the last minute, stated that "All requests for the issuance of Presidential Proclamations declaring special non-working days or holidays must be filed with and received by the Office of the President no less than thirty (30) days before the special day, holiday or event sought to be covered by the proclamation.".
Quezon Province Public Holidays May 15 Source: Philippine Information Agency (Manila). The Office of the President of the Philippines has declared Wednesday, May 15, 2024, a special non-working public holiday in the in Sariaya in the Quezon province to mark the local celebration of the farmer’s feast and Agawan Festival. As per Proclamation 537, signed by Executive Secretary, Lucas Bersamin, "the declaration aims to give the people of Sariaya the “opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration". Note that, on May 15, 2024, three other localities in Quezon province will also celebrate similar festivals, namely; Pahiyas in Lucban town, the Araña’t Baluarte festival in Gumaca, and Mayohan in Tayabas City. Although the aforementioned Proclamation 537 occurs more than a week before the date of the Agawan Festival, much earlier than some previous announcements, we are still a long way from the 30-day delay mandated by Philippines Presidential Executive Secretary, Lucas Bersamin, in last February's Memorandum Order (MO) 20 which, in reaction to a spate of regional and municipal public holidays declared at the last minute, stated that "All requests for the issuance of Presidential Proclamations declaring special non-working days or holidays must be filed with and received by the Office of the President no less than thirty (30) days before the special day, holiday or event sought to be covered by the proclamation.".
Portugal Parliament Considers November 25 Public Holidays Bill Source: Assembleia da República (Lisboa). In the context of the PSD/CDS-PP Government appointed commission to steer the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the 25th of November, the Chega Party has once again submitted a bill to Portugal's Parliament to establish November 25th as a national public holiday "from 2025, the year of the 50th anniversary of this fundamental historical moment for Portuguese democracy". Recall that, in May 2022, the same Chega Party had already submitted a bill to Portugal's Parliament to make November 25 a new annual Portuguese public holiday.
Portugal Parliament Considers November 25 Public Holidays Bill Source: Assembleia da República (Lisboa). In the context of the PSD/CDS-PP Government appointed commission to steer the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the 25th of November, the Chega Party has once again submitted a bill to Portugal's Parliament to establish November 25th as a national public holiday "from 2025, the year of the 50th anniversary of this fundamental historical moment for Portuguese democracy". Recall that, in May 2022, the same Chega Party had already submitted a bill to Portugal's Parliament to make November 25 a new annual Portuguese public holiday.
Tristan da Cunha Graveyard Extension Public Holiday May 7 Source: Tristan Times (Tristan da Cunha). The Chief Islander of Saint Helena's region of Tristan da Cunha has declared Tuesday, May 7, 2024, as an all hands day when staff in all departments will leave their day-to-day jobs to assist in extending the Tristan da Cunha graveyard.
Tristan da Cunha Graveyard Extension Public Holiday May 7 Source: Tristan Times (Tristan da Cunha). The Chief Islander of Saint Helena's region of Tristan da Cunha has declared Tuesday, May 7, 2024, as an all hands day when staff in all departments will leave their day-to-day jobs to assist in extending the Tristan da Cunha graveyard.
South African Calls For May 8 Ancestors Day Public Holiday Source: South African Press Association (Pretoria). The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) has once again called on the South African government to officially add Ancestors’ Day, on May 8, as an annual public holiday. The topic of the adding annual public holidays in South Africa for other religions or ethnic groups resurfaces regularly. In late April 2022, the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa had similarly called on the South African government to declare May 8, as a public holiday "to preserve the country and continent’s culture". Back in 2003, the South African Cabinet had mandated an inter-departmental task team to review the South African official public holidays calendar, and a decade later, South Africa's CRL Rights Commission submitted a report with recommendations to the president's office, following its review of the list of official public holidays in South Africa. But, another decade later, nothing has come out of these consultations, and the "Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994", revised in 1995, stands unchanged.
South African Calls For May 8 Ancestors Day Public Holiday Source: South African Press Association (Pretoria). The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) has once again called on the South African government to officially add Ancestors’ Day, on May 8, as an annual public holiday. The topic of the adding annual public holidays in South Africa for other religions or ethnic groups resurfaces regularly. In late April 2022, the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa had similarly called on the South African government to declare May 8, as a public holiday "to preserve the country and continent’s culture". Back in 2003, the South African Cabinet had mandated an inter-departmental task team to review the South African official public holidays calendar, and a decade later, South Africa's CRL Rights Commission submitted a report with recommendations to the president's office, following its review of the list of official public holidays in South Africa. But, another decade later, nothing has come out of these consultations, and the "Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994", revised in 1995, stands unchanged.
Castilla La-Mancha 2025 Public Holidays Draft Source: Diario Oficial de Castilla-La Mancha (DOCM). The General Directorate of Self-Employed, Labor and Social Economy of Spain's Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha, has announced in the Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha (DOCM) the opening of a public information period related to the draft decree that will establish the work calendar for the year 2025. As per the aforementioned announcement, "The initiative to submit the work calendar to public information is presented as an opportunity for citizens and social agents to actively participate in the design process of such an important element for the economic and social planning of the region.". Based on past years' lists of regional public holidays in Castilla-La Mancha, we would expect that in 2025, the 2 regional public holidays selected would be Community Day on May 31, and Corpus Christi on June 19, 2025.
Castilla La-Mancha 2025 Public Holidays Draft Source: Diario Oficial de Castilla-La Mancha (DOCM). The General Directorate of Self-Employed, Labor and Social Economy of Spain's Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha, has announced in the Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha (DOCM) the opening of a public information period related to the draft decree that will establish the work calendar for the year 2025. As per the aforementioned announcement, "The initiative to submit the work calendar to public information is presented as an opportunity for citizens and social agents to actively participate in the design process of such an important element for the economic and social planning of the region.". Based on past years' lists of regional public holidays in Castilla-La Mancha, we would expect that in 2025, the 2 regional public holidays selected would be Community Day on May 31, and Corpus Christi on June 19, 2025.
Japanese Financial Markets Holiday May 6 Source: The Bank of Japan (Tokyo). Japanese financial markets will be closed on Monday, May 6, 2024, and will resume trading on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. The aforementioned Children's Day holiday in Japan's financial markets is in line with last year's announcement by the Bank of Japan, of the list of 2024 bank holidays in Japan, based on the government's calendar guidelines for the 6th year of Reiwa.
Japanese Financial Markets Holiday May 6 Source: The Bank of Japan (Tokyo). Japanese financial markets will be closed on Monday, May 6, 2024, and will resume trading on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. The aforementioned Children's Day holiday in Japan's financial markets is in line with last year's announcement by the Bank of Japan, of the list of 2024 bank holidays in Japan, based on the government's calendar guidelines for the 6th year of Reiwa.
Bagmati Province Declares May 6 Public Holiday Source: मुख्यमन्त्री तथा मन्त्रिपरिषद्को कार्यालय (Kathmandu). The Government of Nepal's Bagmati Province has declared a regional public holiday on Monday, May 6, 2024, to celebrate the official use of Nepal Bhasa and Tamang language in government and public offices of the province, in line with the Provincial Official Language Act 2080 issued by the Bagmati Provincial Government and effective from today. 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 May 6 Public Holiday Source: मुख्यमन्त्री तथा मन्त्रिपरिषद्को कार्यालय (Kathmandu). The Government of Nepal's Bagmati Province has declared a regional public holiday on Monday, May 6, 2024, to celebrate the official use of Nepal Bhasa and Tamang language in government and public offices of the province, in line with the Provincial Official Language Act 2080 issued by the Bagmati Provincial Government and effective from today. 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.
South Korean Financial Markets Holiday May 6 Source: Yonhap News Agency (Seoul). South Korean financial markets will be closed on Monday, May 6, 2024, and will resume trading on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Monday, May 6, 2024, is also observed as Children's Day, a substitute public holiday in South Korea.
South Korean Financial Markets Holiday May 6 Source: Yonhap News Agency (Seoul). South Korean financial markets will be closed on Monday, May 6, 2024, and will resume trading on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Monday, May 6, 2024, is also observed as Children's Day, a substitute public holiday in South Korea.
Saxony-Anhalt's Greens Want To Cancel Epiphany Public Holiday Source: Mitteldeutsche Zeitung (Halle). The Green party conference of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt has been debating the abolition of the Epiphany public holiday in Saxony-Anhalt, with 3 suggested replacements.
Saxony-Anhalt's Greens Want To Cancel Epiphany Public Holiday Source: Mitteldeutsche Zeitung (Halle). The Green party conference of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt has been debating the abolition of the Epiphany public holiday in Saxony-Anhalt, with 3 suggested replacements.
Balears 2025 Public Holidays Gazetted Source: Dirección General de Trabajo Y Salud Laboral (Govern de les Illes Balears). The secretaria del Consejo de Gobierno of Spain's autonomous region of the Balears, Antònia Maria Estarellas Torrens, has signed the gazetted calendar of 2025 regional and national public holidays in Spain's autonomous region of the Balearic Islands. The aforementioned list of of 2025 public holidays in the Balears was gazetted as the Acuerdo de 3 de mayo de 2024, de la Comunidad Autónoma de las Illes Balears, del Consejero de Gobierno, por la que se hace público el calendario laboral general y local para el año 2025 en el ámbito de las Illes Balears. as published in the BOIB de 4 de mayo de 2024. Today's gazette publication follows the calendario laboral that had been announced late last month and which included region-specific public holidays on March 1st and December 26.
Balears 2025 Public Holidays Gazetted Source: Dirección General de Trabajo Y Salud Laboral (Govern de les Illes Balears). The secretaria del Consejo de Gobierno of Spain's autonomous region of the Balears, Antònia Maria Estarellas Torrens, has signed the gazetted calendar of 2025 regional and national public holidays in Spain's autonomous region of the Balearic Islands. The aforementioned list of of 2025 public holidays in the Balears was gazetted as the Acuerdo de 3 de mayo de 2024, de la Comunidad Autónoma de las Illes Balears, del Consejero de Gobierno, por la que se hace público el calendario laboral general y local para el año 2025 en el ámbito de las Illes Balears. as published in the BOIB de 4 de mayo de 2024. Today's gazette publication follows the calendario laboral that had been announced late last month and which included region-specific public holidays on March 1st and December 26.
Zurich Civil Groups Want To Cancel May Day Public Holiday Source: Kanton Basel-Landschaft (Basel). The Swiss Young Liberals and the Zurich SVP are independently calling for the May Day public holiday to be canceled in Switzerland's Canton of Zürich, and to have it be replaced by an annual public holiday on Sechseläuten Monday. Last month we had reported how the Grand Council of Switzerland's canton of Basel-Landschaft was set to discuss a bill that would replace the annual May 1st public holiday in Basel-Landschaft, to combat the annual violence that accompanies the May 1st events. A similar bill to remove May 1st from the Canton of Zürich's public holidays was introduced in 2008 by the leader of the SVP parliamentary group, Alfred Heer, but was eventually rejected by the Consultative Commission of Zürich Canton in early 2009. A parliamentary initiative to make May 1st a national public holiday was defeated in 2001 and the Swiss Cantons currently observing May 1st as a public holiday are: Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Jura, Neuchatel, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Thurgau, Tessin, and Zürich.
Zurich Civil Groups Want To Cancel May Day Public Holiday Source: Kanton Basel-Landschaft (Basel). The Swiss Young Liberals and the Zurich SVP are independently calling for the May Day public holiday to be canceled in Switzerland's Canton of Zürich, and to have it be replaced by an annual public holiday on Sechseläuten Monday. Last month we had reported how the Grand Council of Switzerland's canton of Basel-Landschaft was set to discuss a bill that would replace the annual May 1st public holiday in Basel-Landschaft, to combat the annual violence that accompanies the May 1st events. A similar bill to remove May 1st from the Canton of Zürich's public holidays was introduced in 2008 by the leader of the SVP parliamentary group, Alfred Heer, but was eventually rejected by the Consultative Commission of Zürich Canton in early 2009. A parliamentary initiative to make May 1st a national public holiday was defeated in 2001 and the Swiss Cantons currently observing May 1st as a public holiday are: Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Jura, Neuchatel, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Thurgau, Tessin, and Zürich.
Chad Declares May 6 Electoral Public Holiday Source: Agence Tchadienne de Presse (N’Djamena). The government of Chad has issued the Decree N°0562/PT/PM/MFPDS/2024 , "en application de l'article 2 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", which declares Monday, May 6, 2024, as a one-off public holiday on account of the upcoming Chad Presidential election ("la journée du lundi 06 mai 2024 est déclarée exceptionnellement chômée et payée en vue de permettre aux travailleurs d'accomplir leur devoir civique"). Contrary to usual practice, the aforementioned decree does not state that the next day shall be a regular working day. Chad does not often declare the date of elections as public holidays, but it did coincidentally declare Friday, May 6, 2011, as a one-off public holiday on account of 3 regional by-elections that were held on that date.
Chad Declares May 6 Electoral Public Holiday Source: Agence Tchadienne de Presse (N’Djamena). The government of Chad has issued the Decree N°0562/PT/PM/MFPDS/2024 , "en application de l'article 2 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", which declares Monday, May 6, 2024, as a one-off public holiday on account of the upcoming Chad Presidential election ("la journée du lundi 06 mai 2024 est déclarée exceptionnellement chômée et payée en vue de permettre aux travailleurs d'accomplir leur devoir civique"). Contrary to usual practice, the aforementioned decree does not state that the next day shall be a regular working day. Chad does not often declare the date of elections as public holidays, but it did coincidentally declare Friday, May 6, 2011, as a one-off public holiday on account of 3 regional by-elections that were held on that date.
Hong Kong 2025 Public Holidays Released Source: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR). The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has published the gazetted list of 2025 general and public holidays in the Hong Kong SAR. The aforementioned General holidays for 2025 (2025年公眾假期), was established in accordance with the Employment Ordinance and General Holidays Ordinance as well as amendments thereto, and in line with the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021 which implemented a government proposal to increase the number of annual statutory public holidays in Hong Kong from 12 to 17, over the 9-year period from 2022 to 2030. As per the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021, the Birthday of the Buddha was made an annual statutory public holiday in 2022, and the first weekday after Christmas Day was made an annual statutory public holiday in 2024. The 3 remaining public holidays to be changed into annual statutory public holidays are: Easter Monday (2026), Good Friday (2028), and the day following Good Friday (2030).
Hong Kong 2025 Public Holidays Released Source: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR). The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has published the gazetted list of 2025 general and public holidays in the Hong Kong SAR. The aforementioned General holidays for 2025 (2025年公眾假期), was established in accordance with the Employment Ordinance and General Holidays Ordinance as well as amendments thereto, and in line with the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021 which implemented a government proposal to increase the number of annual statutory public holidays in Hong Kong from 12 to 17, over the 9-year period from 2022 to 2030. As per the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021, the Birthday of the Buddha was made an annual statutory public holiday in 2022, and the first weekday after Christmas Day was made an annual statutory public holiday in 2024. The 3 remaining public holidays to be changed into annual statutory public holidays are: Easter Monday (2026), Good Friday (2028), and the day following Good Friday (2030).
Queensland Horizon Festival To Be Aligned With Labour Day Public Holiday Source: Sunshine Coast News (Queensland). Queensland's Horizon Festival’s creative director, Megan Rowland, has announced that, from 2025 onward, the annual Sunshine Coast Horizon Festival would move from August to coincide with the Labour Day public holiday as it is observed in the Australian State of Queensland. As per the aforementioned announcement, "Moving our festival to earlier in the year means that audiences no longer need to choose between festivals in that busy August–September period". The date of the 2025 Labour Day public holiday in Queensland was announced by its Attorney-General, last November, as part of the announced list of 2025 public holidays in the State of Queensland.
Queensland Horizon Festival To Be Aligned With Labour Day Public Holiday Source: Sunshine Coast News (Queensland). Queensland's Horizon Festival’s creative director, Megan Rowland, has announced that, from 2025 onward, the annual Sunshine Coast Horizon Festival would move from August to coincide with the Labour Day public holiday as it is observed in the Australian State of Queensland. As per the aforementioned announcement, "Moving our festival to earlier in the year means that audiences no longer need to choose between festivals in that busy August–September period". The date of the 2025 Labour Day public holiday in Queensland was announced by its Attorney-General, last November, as part of the announced list of 2025 public holidays in the State of Queensland.
Pahang Rules-Out May 23 Public Holiday Source: Bernama News Agency (Kuantan). The State secretary of the government of Malaysia's State of Pahang, Datuk Seri Zulkifli Yaacob, has announced that Thursday, May 23, 2024, would not be declared an additional public holiday in Pahang, despite the fact that this year's Haril Hol and Wesak Day public holidays both fall on the same date, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. As per the aforementioned announcement, made in accordance with Subsection 9 (1) of the Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369), "Only May 22, 2024 will be observed as a holiday to mark Hari Hol and Wesak Day. There will be no additional holiday granted for Pahang on May 23 to replace Hari Hol and Wesak Day which falls on May 22". There had been widespread speculation that Thursday, May 23, 2024, would be declared an additional public holiday in Pahang. The annual Haril Hol Pahang state public holiday was declared in 2020 and corresponds to the anniversary of the death, in 2019, of the late Sultan, Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah ibni Al Marhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mu'adzam Shah. The Pahang executive council had declared a one-off state public holiday on Thursday, May 23, 2019, "to allow the people to pay their last respects to the late Sultan".
Pahang Rules-Out May 23 Public Holiday Source: Bernama News Agency (Kuantan). The State secretary of the government of Malaysia's State of Pahang, Datuk Seri Zulkifli Yaacob, has announced that Thursday, May 23, 2024, would not be declared an additional public holiday in Pahang, despite the fact that this year's Haril Hol and Wesak Day public holidays both fall on the same date, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. As per the aforementioned announcement, made in accordance with Subsection 9 (1) of the Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369), "Only May 22, 2024 will be observed as a holiday to mark Hari Hol and Wesak Day. There will be no additional holiday granted for Pahang on May 23 to replace Hari Hol and Wesak Day which falls on May 22". There had been widespread speculation that Thursday, May 23, 2024, would be declared an additional public holiday in Pahang. The annual Haril Hol Pahang state public holiday was declared in 2020 and corresponds to the anniversary of the death, in 2019, of the late Sultan, Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah ibni Al Marhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mu'adzam Shah. The Pahang executive council had declared a one-off state public holiday on Thursday, May 23, 2019, "to allow the people to pay their last respects to the late Sultan".
