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Worldwide Public Holidays News and Updates


worldwide public holidays news and updates of the last two weeks
The qppstudio worldwide public holidays database and the worldwide public holidays listings on the qppstudio.net website are constantly updated to reflect changes to public holidays legislation, or ad hoc public holidays changes, anywhere in the world.

The worldwide public holidays news and updates, below, can be accessed via our Android or iPhone apps which are 100% ad-free and whose data feed is updated nightly.

You may also access our lists of worldwide public holidays* by country, by date, or grouped by continent or region. This website also lists global holidays and non-holiday observances for the next 10 years (2024-2034).

March 26, 2024

  • Philippines
  • Philippines
  • Philippines Reminder Of Easter Week Public Holidays
    Source: Philippine Information Agency (Manila). Malacañang's Presidential Communications Office has issued a communique reminding the public of the upcoming public holidays for the Easter Week. As per the facebook communique, "Pursuant to Proclamation No. 368, s. 2024 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., March 28 and March 29 are regular holidays, and March 30 is an additional special (non-working) day, making for an extended weekend in observance of Holy Week 2024." and it goes on to state that "Black Saturday, which falls on 30 March 2024, has been traditionally declared a special (non-working) holiday throughout the country, the observance of Holy Week being one of the most cherished traditions of our predominantly Catholic people".    
  • Philippines Reminder Of Easter Week Public Holidays
    Source: Philippine Information Agency (Manila). Malacañang's Presidential Communications Office has issued a communique reminding the public of the upcoming public holidays for the Easter Week. As per the facebook communique, "Pursuant to Proclamation No. 368, s. 2024 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., March 28 and March 29 are regular holidays, and March 30 is an additional special (non-working) day, making for an extended weekend in observance of Holy Week 2024." and it goes on to state that "Black Saturday, which falls on 30 March 2024, has been traditionally declared a special (non-working) holiday throughout the country, the observance of Holy Week being one of the most cherished traditions of our predominantly Catholic people".    

March 25, 2024

  • Bihar (BR)
  • Bihar (BR)
  • Bihar Declares Lok Sabha Public Holidays
    Source: Government of Bihar (Patna). The Government of India's state of Bihar has released the Government vide notification No.3/H-01/2023 S.P 5109 which declares a series of public holidays from April 19 until June 1, 2024, corresponding to the various dates on which the constituencies of Bihar will vote in the upcoming 2024 General Election to Lok Sabha. The set of public holidays contained in the aforementioned vide notification thus amends the terms of the Government vide notification No. 3/H-02/2023-S.P 16953 of last September which specified the annual list of non-working public holidays in India's state of Bihar for the calendar year 2024. The upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024.    
  • Bihar Declares Lok Sabha Public Holidays
    Source: Government of Bihar (Patna). The Government of India's state of Bihar has released the Government vide notification No.3/H-01/2023 S.P 5109 which declares a series of public holidays from April 19 until June 1, 2024, corresponding to the various dates on which the constituencies of Bihar will vote in the upcoming 2024 General Election to Lok Sabha. The set of public holidays contained in the aforementioned vide notification thus amends the terms of the Government vide notification No. 3/H-02/2023-S.P 16953 of last September which specified the annual list of non-working public holidays in India's state of Bihar for the calendar year 2024. The upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024.    
  • Ghana
  • Ghana
  • Ghana Declares March 29 and April 1st Public Holidays
    Source: Ghana News Agency (Accra). Ghana's Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, has issued a press release announcing that Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1st, 2024, had been declared public holidays ("The general public is hereby informed that Friday, 29th March 2024 and Monday, 1st April 2024, which mark Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively, are Statutory Public Holidays and should be observed as such throughout the country.").    
  • Ghana Declares March 29 and April 1st Public Holidays
    Source: Ghana News Agency (Accra). Ghana's Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, has issued a press release announcing that Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1st, 2024, had been declared public holidays ("The general public is hereby informed that Friday, 29th March 2024 and Monday, 1st April 2024, which mark Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively, are Statutory Public Holidays and should be observed as such throughout the country.").    
  • Kuwait
  • Kuwait
  • Kuwait Announces 2024 Eid al Fitr Public Holidays
    Source: Kuwait Civil Service Commission (Kuwait City). The Kuwaiti Council of Ministers has announced public sector holidays for all ministries and government bodies from Tuesday until Saturday, April 9-13, 2024, on account of the upcoming Eid Al Fitr (End of Ramadan), specifying that "employees will return to work on April 14". In line with what many other Gulf States have been doing, namely Saudi Arabia, the 2024 Eid Al Fitr public sector holidays in Kuwait are markedly reduced as compared to past years, such as 2022 when the Kuwaiti Civil Service Commission (CSC) declared 9 consecutive days of public sector holidays, as well as many other years before that. As usual, in the years when there is a 30th of Ramadan, as will be the case in 2024, Ramadan 30 (April 9) is declared a government-only public holiday in Kuwait.    
  • Kuwait Announces 2024 Eid al Fitr Public Holidays
    Source: Kuwait Civil Service Commission (Kuwait City). The Kuwaiti Council of Ministers has announced public sector holidays for all ministries and government bodies from Tuesday until Saturday, April 9-13, 2024, on account of the upcoming Eid Al Fitr (End of Ramadan), specifying that "employees will return to work on April 14". In line with what many other Gulf States have been doing, namely Saudi Arabia, the 2024 Eid Al Fitr public sector holidays in Kuwait are markedly reduced as compared to past years, such as 2022 when the Kuwaiti Civil Service Commission (CSC) declared 9 consecutive days of public sector holidays, as well as many other years before that. As usual, in the years when there is a 30th of Ramadan, as will be the case in 2024, Ramadan 30 (April 9) is declared a government-only public holiday in Kuwait.    
  • Philippines
  • Philippines
  • Philippines Public Sector Holiday On April 27
    Source: Philippine Information Agency (Manila). Malacañang's Presidential Communications Office has issued the Memorandum Circular No. 45 declaring a half-day public sector holiday beginning at 12:00 noon, on Holy Wednesday, March 27, 2024. The circular, signed by Executive Secretary, Lucas Bersamin, states that "To provide government employees full opportunity to properly observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday on 28-29 March 2024 and to allow them to travel to and from the different regions in the country, work in government offices on 27 March 2024 is hereby suspended from 12:00 o’clock in the afternoon onwards" and goes on to add that "The suspension of work in private companies and offices is left to the sound discretion of their respective employers".    
  • Philippines Public Sector Holiday On April 27
    Source: Philippine Information Agency (Manila). Malacañang's Presidential Communications Office has issued the Memorandum Circular No. 45 declaring a half-day public sector holiday beginning at 12:00 noon, on Holy Wednesday, March 27, 2024. The circular, signed by Executive Secretary, Lucas Bersamin, states that "To provide government employees full opportunity to properly observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday on 28-29 March 2024 and to allow them to travel to and from the different regions in the country, work in government offices on 27 March 2024 is hereby suspended from 12:00 o’clock in the afternoon onwards" and goes on to add that "The suspension of work in private companies and offices is left to the sound discretion of their respective employers".    

March 24, 2024

  • Philippines
  • Philippines
  • Tarlac City Charter Anniversary Public Holiday April 19
    Source: Philippine Information Agency (Manila). Philippines' President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has issued the Proclamation No. 499 s. 2024, declaring Friday, April 19, 2024, as a special (non-working) public holiday in Tarlac City to mark the celebration of its 26th Charter Anniversary. As per Proclamation No. 499, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, "Whereas, on 19 April 2024, Friday, the City of Tarlac, Province of Tarlac will mark the celebration of its 26th Charter Anniversary; Whereas, it is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Tarlac be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration; now, therefore, I, Lucas P. Bersamin, Executive Secretary, by authority of the President, Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., do hereby declare Friday, 19 April 2024, a special (non-working) day in the City of Tarlac.".    
  • Tarlac City Charter Anniversary Public Holiday April 19
    Source: Philippine Information Agency (Manila). Philippines' President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has issued the Proclamation No. 499 s. 2024, declaring Friday, April 19, 2024, as a special (non-working) public holiday in Tarlac City to mark the celebration of its 26th Charter Anniversary. As per Proclamation No. 499, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, "Whereas, on 19 April 2024, Friday, the City of Tarlac, Province of Tarlac will mark the celebration of its 26th Charter Anniversary; Whereas, it is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Tarlac be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration; now, therefore, I, Lucas P. Bersamin, Executive Secretary, by authority of the President, Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., do hereby declare Friday, 19 April 2024, a special (non-working) day in the City of Tarlac.".    

March 23, 2024

  • El Salvador
  • El Salvador
  • El Salvador Clarifies Holy Week Public Holidays
    Source: Presidencia de la República de El Salvador (San Salvador). The Minister of Labor of El Salvador, Rolando Castro, has issued a communique reminding the population that, as per article 190 of the Labor Code, the official paid public holidays during the Holy Week for private sector workers are Thursday, March 28, Friday, March 29, and Saturday, March 30, 2024. For its part, the public sector will also benefit from public sector holidays from Monday to Wednesday, March 25 to 27, 2024, inclusively.    
  • El Salvador Clarifies Holy Week Public Holidays
    Source: Presidencia de la República de El Salvador (San Salvador). The Minister of Labor of El Salvador, Rolando Castro, has issued a communique reminding the population that, as per article 190 of the Labor Code, the official paid public holidays during the Holy Week for private sector workers are Thursday, March 28, Friday, March 29, and Saturday, March 30, 2024. For its part, the public sector will also benefit from public sector holidays from Monday to Wednesday, March 25 to 27, 2024, inclusively.    
  • Rwanda
  • Rwanda
  • Rwanda Revises 2024 Public Holidays
    Source: Rwanda Bureau Of Information and Broadcasting (ORINFOR). The Government of Rwanda has released a revised version of the list of 2024 official non-working public holidays in Rwanda that it had published earlier in January. Some of the errors contained in that initial list of 2024 public holidays have been corrected in today's publication, but one error remains in the date announced for the 2024 Umuganura Day, one of the 3 public holidays added to the list of Rwandan annual non-working public holidays as per the Presidential Order determining public holidays of May 2015.    
  • Rwanda Revises 2024 Public Holidays
    Source: Rwanda Bureau Of Information and Broadcasting (ORINFOR). The Government of Rwanda has released a revised version of the list of 2024 official non-working public holidays in Rwanda that it had published earlier in January. Some of the errors contained in that initial list of 2024 public holidays have been corrected in today's publication, but one error remains in the date announced for the 2024 Umuganura Day, one of the 3 public holidays added to the list of Rwandan annual non-working public holidays as per the Presidential Order determining public holidays of May 2015.    
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Saudi 2024 Eid Al-Fitr Public Holidays Announced
    Source: Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of Saudi Arabia has announced the declaration of April 8-11, 2024, inclusively, for the upcoming public holidays for Eid Al Fitr (the End of Ramadan). When counting the adjoining weekend (Friday-Saturday since 2013) this means a 6-day period of public holidays which, for the first time, applies to both the private and public sectors of Saudi Arabia. In past years, the Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha public sector holidays would often last between 12 and 15 days but, this past January, the Saudi Council of Ministers decreed that in the future the government public holidays for Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha would each last a minimum of 4 days and a maximum of 5 days. As announced by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), last week, the banking and financial sectors of Saudi Arabia will observe bank holidays from April 5-13, inclusively.    
  • Saudi 2024 Eid Al-Fitr Public Holidays Announced
    Source: Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of Saudi Arabia has announced the declaration of April 8-11, 2024, inclusively, for the upcoming public holidays for Eid Al Fitr (the End of Ramadan). When counting the adjoining weekend (Friday-Saturday since 2013) this means a 6-day period of public holidays which, for the first time, applies to both the private and public sectors of Saudi Arabia. In past years, the Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha public sector holidays would often last between 12 and 15 days but, this past January, the Saudi Council of Ministers decreed that in the future the government public holidays for Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha would each last a minimum of 4 days and a maximum of 5 days. As announced by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), last week, the banking and financial sectors of Saudi Arabia will observe bank holidays from April 5-13, inclusively.    

March 22, 2024

  • Cape Verde
  • Cape Verde
  • Cape Verde Declares Maundy Thursday Public Sector Holiday On March 28
    Source: Ministro da Administração Interna (República de Cabo Verde). The government of Cape Verde, in accordance with a resolution from the Council of Ministers, has declared a one-off public sector holiday (tolerância de ponto) for the afternoon of Thursday, March 28, 2024, on account of Maundy Thursday, thus maintaining "the practice of granting day tolerance during Holy Week and the celebration of Easter throughout the archipelago", as per the publication in last night's Official Bulletin of the Republic. The aforementioned tolerância de ponto covers employees and agents of the State, public institutes and local authorities, beginning at 12:00 noon. The declaration of Maundy Thursday as a one-off public sector holiday is not systematic, but has been relatively common in the past (2023, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2014, 2010, 2006, ...).    
  • Cape Verde Declares Maundy Thursday Public Sector Holiday On March 28
    Source: Ministro da Administração Interna (República de Cabo Verde). The government of Cape Verde, in accordance with a resolution from the Council of Ministers, has declared a one-off public sector holiday (tolerância de ponto) for the afternoon of Thursday, March 28, 2024, on account of Maundy Thursday, thus maintaining "the practice of granting day tolerance during Holy Week and the celebration of Easter throughout the archipelago", as per the publication in last night's Official Bulletin of the Republic. The aforementioned tolerância de ponto covers employees and agents of the State, public institutes and local authorities, beginning at 12:00 noon. The declaration of Maundy Thursday as a one-off public sector holiday is not systematic, but has been relatively common in the past (2023, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2014, 2010, 2006, ...).    
  • Dominican Republic
  • Dominican Republic
  • Dominican Republic Public Sector Holiday March 27
    Source: Ministerio de Trabajo República Dominicana (Santo Domingo). The Dominican Republic's Minister of Public Administration, Darío Castillo Lugo, has issued a circular announcing that public institutions will only work until noon on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, on account of Holy Wednesday ("El Ministerio de Administración Pública (MAP), en cumplimiento de su rol de órgano rector del empleo público y de los sistemas de carrera administrativa general y especiales, dispone que el horario y los días de trabajo de la Semana Santa 2024, será hasta las 12:00 M. del miércoles 27 de marzo del año en curso."). The aforementioned announcement does not affect last autumn's official listing of public holidays in the Dominican Republic for the year 2024, as the general list of public holidays follows the 1997 Ley No. 139-97 mediante la cual los días feriados del calendario que coincidan con los días martes y miércoles, jueves o viernes, rather than article 51 of Law 41-08 of Public Function and article 27 of Regulation number 523-09 of Labor Relations.    
  • Dominican Republic Public Sector Holiday March 27
    Source: Ministerio de Trabajo República Dominicana (Santo Domingo). The Dominican Republic's Minister of Public Administration, Darío Castillo Lugo, has issued a circular announcing that public institutions will only work until noon on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, on account of Holy Wednesday ("El Ministerio de Administración Pública (MAP), en cumplimiento de su rol de órgano rector del empleo público y de los sistemas de carrera administrativa general y especiales, dispone que el horario y los días de trabajo de la Semana Santa 2024, será hasta las 12:00 M. del miércoles 27 de marzo del año en curso."). The aforementioned announcement does not affect last autumn's official listing of public holidays in the Dominican Republic for the year 2024, as the general list of public holidays follows the 1997 Ley No. 139-97 mediante la cual los días feriados del calendario que coincidan con los días martes y miércoles, jueves o viernes, rather than article 51 of Law 41-08 of Public Function and article 27 of Regulation number 523-09 of Labor Relations.    
  • Karnataka (KA)
  • Karnataka (KA)
  • Karnataka Declares Lok Sabha Public Holidays
    Source: Government of Karnataka (Bengaluru). The State Government of India's state of Karnataka has issued the vide notification No. DPAR 09 CHULOSA 2024, based on Section 3A of the Karnataka Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, 1963, declaring public holidays on April 26 and May 7, 2024, corresponding to the dates on which the constituencies of Karnataka will vote in the upcoming 2024 General Election to Lok Sabha. The aforementioned vide notification quotes the 1963 act as follows, "Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 3, when a General Election to the House of People or to the State Legislative Assembly or an election to fill up any casual vacancy in the House of People or to the State Legislative Assembly is held under R.P. Act, 1951(Central Act,43 of 1951), every employee (other than an employee in an Industrial establishment owned or controlled by the Government of India) whose name is included in the electoral roll of the constituency where such election is held, shall be allowed on the polling day, a day’s paid holiday to enable him to exercise his franchise". Thse 2 public holidays thus amends the terms of the Government vide Notification No. DPAR 16 HHL2023 of last November which specified the annual list of non-working public holidays in India's state of Karnataka for the calendar year 2024. The upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024.    
  • Karnataka Declares Lok Sabha Public Holidays
    Source: Government of Karnataka (Bengaluru). The State Government of India's state of Karnataka has issued the vide notification No. DPAR 09 CHULOSA 2024, based on Section 3A of the Karnataka Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, 1963, declaring public holidays on April 26 and May 7, 2024, corresponding to the dates on which the constituencies of Karnataka will vote in the upcoming 2024 General Election to Lok Sabha. The aforementioned vide notification quotes the 1963 act as follows, "Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 3, when a General Election to the House of People or to the State Legislative Assembly or an election to fill up any casual vacancy in the House of People or to the State Legislative Assembly is held under R.P. Act, 1951(Central Act,43 of 1951), every employee (other than an employee in an Industrial establishment owned or controlled by the Government of India) whose name is included in the electoral roll of the constituency where such election is held, shall be allowed on the polling day, a day’s paid holiday to enable him to exercise his franchise". Thse 2 public holidays thus amends the terms of the Government vide Notification No. DPAR 16 HHL2023 of last November which specified the annual list of non-working public holidays in India's state of Karnataka for the calendar year 2024. The upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024.    
  • Mizoram (MZ)
  • Mizoram (MZ)
  • Mizoram Lok Sabha Public Holiday April 19
    Source: Mizoram General Administration Department (Aizawl). The Governor of India's State of Mizoram has declared Friday, April 19, 2024, as a paid public holiday on account of the upcoming 2024 General Election to Lok Sabha ("In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 and as provided under Section 135B of the representation of the People Act, 1951, the Governor of Mizoram is pleased to declare the 19th of April, 2024 (Friday) as Paid Holiday for every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment and registered as voters under the State of Mizoram to enable the voters to exercise their franchise in the General Election to Lok Sabha, 2024."). The aforementioned Notification No. H.11014/9/2017-GAD/189, signed by the Secretary to the Government of Mizoram's General Administration Department, R. Lalramnghaka, thus amends the list of 2024 public holidays in Mizoram contained in the vide notification No. F.23012/1/2020-GAD/84 of last autumn. Recall that, this past Monday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates of the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected. These upcoming general elections which will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024, will be held in Mizoram in phases 1, namely April 19, 2024.    
  • Mizoram Lok Sabha Public Holiday April 19
    Source: Mizoram General Administration Department (Aizawl). The Governor of India's State of Mizoram has declared Friday, April 19, 2024, as a paid public holiday on account of the upcoming 2024 General Election to Lok Sabha ("In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 and as provided under Section 135B of the representation of the People Act, 1951, the Governor of Mizoram is pleased to declare the 19th of April, 2024 (Friday) as Paid Holiday for every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment and registered as voters under the State of Mizoram to enable the voters to exercise their franchise in the General Election to Lok Sabha, 2024."). The aforementioned Notification No. H.11014/9/2017-GAD/189, signed by the Secretary to the Government of Mizoram's General Administration Department, R. Lalramnghaka, thus amends the list of 2024 public holidays in Mizoram contained in the vide notification No. F.23012/1/2020-GAD/84 of last autumn. Recall that, this past Monday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates of the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected. These upcoming general elections which will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024, will be held in Mizoram in phases 1, namely April 19, 2024.    
  • Pakistan
  • Pakistan
  • Pakistan Announces March 23 Bank Holiday
    Source: The State Bank of Pakistan (Karachi). The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued the BPRD Circular Letter No. 06 of 2024, signed by the Additional Director, Syed Imran Ali, and announcing that "The State Bank of Pakistan will remain closed on March 23, 2024 (Saturday) being public holiday on the occasion of “Pakistan Day” as declared by the Government of Pakistan". Today's announcement by the State Bank of Pakistan is in line with the list of 2024 public holidays in Pakistan, as announced in the Public and Optional Holidays for the calendar year 2024 published by the Government of Pakistan late last year.    
  • Pakistan Announces March 23 Bank Holiday
    Source: The State Bank of Pakistan (Karachi). The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued the BPRD Circular Letter No. 06 of 2024, signed by the Additional Director, Syed Imran Ali, and announcing that "The State Bank of Pakistan will remain closed on March 23, 2024 (Saturday) being public holiday on the occasion of “Pakistan Day” as declared by the Government of Pakistan". Today's announcement by the State Bank of Pakistan is in line with the list of 2024 public holidays in Pakistan, as announced in the Public and Optional Holidays for the calendar year 2024 published by the Government of Pakistan late last year.    
  • Paraguay
  • Paraguay
  • Paraguay Declares March 27 Public Sector Holiday
    Source: Portal Paraguayo de Noticias (PPN). Paraguay's president, Santiago Peña, has released the executive decree No.1413 declaring Wednesday, March 27, 2024, a one-off public sector holiday in Paraguay, on account of the upcoming Holy Week, as confirmed by the spokesperson for the Presidency of the Republic, Paula Carro, who added that "this decision responds to the fact that it is an important celebration for Paraguayan religiosity".    
  • Paraguay Declares March 27 Public Sector Holiday
    Source: Portal Paraguayo de Noticias (PPN). Paraguay's president, Santiago Peña, has released the executive decree No.1413 declaring Wednesday, March 27, 2024, a one-off public sector holiday in Paraguay, on account of the upcoming Holy Week, as confirmed by the spokesperson for the Presidency of the Republic, Paula Carro, who added that "this decision responds to the fact that it is an important celebration for Paraguayan religiosity".    
  • Portugal
  • Portugal
  • Portugal Announces Maundy Thursday Public Sector Holiday
    Source: Governo de Portugal (Lisboa). The government of Portugal has announced a public sector holiday (tolerância de ponto) on the afternoon of Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2024, to facilitate the movement of workers who wish to spend the festive period with their families, many of whom live outside their usual work areas. The half-day public sector holiday will apply to employees of the State's direct administration services and also to public institutes.    
  • Portugal Announces Maundy Thursday Public Sector Holiday
    Source: Governo de Portugal (Lisboa). The government of Portugal has announced a public sector holiday (tolerância de ponto) on the afternoon of Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2024, to facilitate the movement of workers who wish to spend the festive period with their families, many of whom live outside their usual work areas. The half-day public sector holiday will apply to employees of the State's direct administration services and also to public institutes.    
  • Telangana (TS)
  • Telangana (TS)
  • Telangana Lok Sabha Public Holiday May 13
    Source: Government of Telangana (Hyderabad). The Government of India's State of Telangana has published the Government vide order G.O.Rt.No. 222 which declares a "paid holiday to all the employees / workers working in the Factories, Shops & Establishments and Industrial Undertakings / Establishments on the day of poling i.e., 13.05.2024 (Monday) so as to enable the electorate to exercise their vote for the General Elections to Lok Sabha, 2024 and Bye-Election to 71-Secunderabad Cantt. (SC) Assembly Constituency, as the case may be, if there is no holiday". The aforementioned declaration of a one-off public holiday on Monday, May 13, 2024, thus amends the list of 2024 public holidays in Telangana contained in the vide notification G.O.Rt. No.1633 of last December. The upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024. The Government of Telangana had similarly declared a public holiday on the date of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.    
  • Telangana Lok Sabha Public Holiday May 13
    Source: Government of Telangana (Hyderabad). The Government of India's State of Telangana has published the Government vide order G.O.Rt.No. 222 which declares a "paid holiday to all the employees / workers working in the Factories, Shops & Establishments and Industrial Undertakings / Establishments on the day of poling i.e., 13.05.2024 (Monday) so as to enable the electorate to exercise their vote for the General Elections to Lok Sabha, 2024 and Bye-Election to 71-Secunderabad Cantt. (SC) Assembly Constituency, as the case may be, if there is no holiday". The aforementioned declaration of a one-off public holiday on Monday, May 13, 2024, thus amends the list of 2024 public holidays in Telangana contained in the vide notification G.O.Rt. No.1633 of last December. The upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024. The Government of Telangana had similarly declared a public holiday on the date of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.    
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Trinidad and Tobago Declares April 10 Public Holiday For Eid-Ul-Fitr
    Source: Trinidad and Tobago Government Portal (Port of Spain). The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has announced that Wednesday, April 10, 2024, had been declared as a non-working public holiday in Trinidad and Tobago, on account of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr (End of Ramadan) annual public holiday of Trinidad and Tobago. As per the aforementioned announcement, made in accordance with section 3(1) of the Public Holidays and Festivals Act, Chapter 19:05, "Cabinet has today advised Her Excellency the President, Christine Kangaloo, that Wednesday, April 10, 2024 be declared as the date of the public holiday in celebration of the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr.". A public holiday had been included in the list of 2024 public holidays released by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, earlier this year, but its date was left TBA (to be announced) as is usually the case for most movable public holidays in Trinidad and Tobago.    
  • Trinidad and Tobago Declares April 10 Public Holiday For Eid-Ul-Fitr
    Source: Trinidad and Tobago Government Portal (Port of Spain). The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has announced that Wednesday, April 10, 2024, had been declared as a non-working public holiday in Trinidad and Tobago, on account of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr (End of Ramadan) annual public holiday of Trinidad and Tobago. As per the aforementioned announcement, made in accordance with section 3(1) of the Public Holidays and Festivals Act, Chapter 19:05, "Cabinet has today advised Her Excellency the President, Christine Kangaloo, that Wednesday, April 10, 2024 be declared as the date of the public holiday in celebration of the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr.". A public holiday had been included in the list of 2024 public holidays released by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, earlier this year, but its date was left TBA (to be announced) as is usually the case for most movable public holidays in Trinidad and Tobago.    
  • West Bengal (WB)
  • West Bengal (WB)
  • West Bengal Declares Lok Sabha Public Holidays
    Source: Government of West Bengal (Howrah). The government of India's state of West Bengal has issued the vide notification No. Labr./294/(20)/(LC-IR)/IR/7S-06/17 which declares a series of public holidays from April 19 until June 1, 2024, corresponding to the various dates on which the constituencies of West Bengal will vote in the upcoming 2024 General Election to Lok Sabha. As per the vide notification, "The Governor has been pleased to make obligatory, on the part of the employers of any business, trade, undertaking, shops, commercial and industrial establishment including Tea Gardens to declare the scheduled dates of poll for the Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies concerned as paid holiday under Section 135B of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, for their workers to enable them to exercise their franchise in the ensuing election. In case of re-poll, the employees / workers shall be allowed to cast their votes on the date of re-poll and the date of re-poll shall also be declared as paid holiday". The upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024.    
  • West Bengal Declares Lok Sabha Public Holidays
    Source: Government of West Bengal (Howrah). The government of India's state of West Bengal has issued the vide notification No. Labr./294/(20)/(LC-IR)/IR/7S-06/17 which declares a series of public holidays from April 19 until June 1, 2024, corresponding to the various dates on which the constituencies of West Bengal will vote in the upcoming 2024 General Election to Lok Sabha. As per the vide notification, "The Governor has been pleased to make obligatory, on the part of the employers of any business, trade, undertaking, shops, commercial and industrial establishment including Tea Gardens to declare the scheduled dates of poll for the Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies concerned as paid holiday under Section 135B of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, for their workers to enable them to exercise their franchise in the ensuing election. In case of re-poll, the employees / workers shall be allowed to cast their votes on the date of re-poll and the date of re-poll shall also be declared as paid holiday". The upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024.    
  • Zimbabwe
  • Zimbabwe
  • Zimbabwe Extends Independence Day Public Holiday To April 19
    Source: The Herald (Harare). The government of Zimbabwe has announced that this year's Uhuru Day (Independence Day) public holiday would be extended from its annual date of April 18 to also include Friday, April 19, 2024, leading to a 4-day public holiday.    
  • Zimbabwe Extends Independence Day Public Holiday To April 19
    Source: The Herald (Harare). The government of Zimbabwe has announced that this year's Uhuru Day (Independence Day) public holiday would be extended from its annual date of April 18 to also include Friday, April 19, 2024, leading to a 4-day public holiday.    

March 21, 2024

  • Assam (AS)
  • Assam (AS)
  • Assam Declares March 26 Public Holiday For Dol Jatra and Holi
    Source: Government of Assam (Guwahati). The Department of General Administration of the Government of India's state of Assam has issued an official notification declaring a regional public holiday on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, on account of the upcoming festivals of Dol Jatra and Holi. As per the aforementioned notification, "The Governor of Assam is pleased to declare a Local holiday on 26th March 2024 within the jurisdiction of Kamrup (Metro) district on account of the Dol Jatra (Holi) Festival. All State Govt. Offices, and educational institutions within Kamrup (Metro) district will remain closed on 26th March 2024 on account of this holiday", which goes on to cover banks and financial institutions as well ("All financial institutions within Kamrup (Metro) district under Section 25 of N.I. Act, 1881 (XXIV of 1881) read with the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No.20/25/Pub-1 dated 8th June 1957 will also remain closed on account of this holiday"). The reason for the March 26 public holiday being restricted to the Kamrup Metro district is that is the date for the nomination process for the first phase of polling in the districts of Sonitpur, Nagaon, Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Majuli, and Charaideo, and the Commission had directed District Commissioners (DC) of Returning Officer (RO) districts, where polling is scheduled for the first phase, not to declare a local holiday on March 26, 2024.    
  • Assam Declares March 26 Public Holiday For Dol Jatra and Holi
    Source: Government of Assam (Guwahati). The Department of General Administration of the Government of India's state of Assam has issued an official notification declaring a regional public holiday on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, on account of the upcoming festivals of Dol Jatra and Holi. As per the aforementioned notification, "The Governor of Assam is pleased to declare a Local holiday on 26th March 2024 within the jurisdiction of Kamrup (Metro) district on account of the Dol Jatra (Holi) Festival. All State Govt. Offices, and educational institutions within Kamrup (Metro) district will remain closed on 26th March 2024 on account of this holiday", which goes on to cover banks and financial institutions as well ("All financial institutions within Kamrup (Metro) district under Section 25 of N.I. Act, 1881 (XXIV of 1881) read with the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No.20/25/Pub-1 dated 8th June 1957 will also remain closed on account of this holiday"). The reason for the March 26 public holiday being restricted to the Kamrup Metro district is that is the date for the nomination process for the first phase of polling in the districts of Sonitpur, Nagaon, Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Majuli, and Charaideo, and the Commission had directed District Commissioners (DC) of Returning Officer (RO) districts, where polling is scheduled for the first phase, not to declare a local holiday on March 26, 2024.    
  • Timor-Leste
  • Timor-Leste
  • Timor Leste Declares March 28 Public Holiday For Maundy Thursday
    Source: Press Release Government Of Timor-Leste (Dili). The government of Timor Leste has announced that it had decided to grant an additional day-off public sector holiday for Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2024 (Tolerância de ponto no dia 28 de março de 2024, todo o dia). The government announcement states that, "Considering that this year, Good Friday and Easter fall on the 29th and 31st of March, respectively" and "Taking into account that the religious celebrations of “Holy Thursday” have great importance and meaning for a large number of believers, who usually participate in religious ceremonies that take place on the occasion of Easter", the Prime Minister has determined that "Point tolerance is granted on March 28, 2024, all day long", as per the provisions of paragraph 2a) and paragraph 6d) of article 7 of Law no.10/2005 as amended by Laws no.10/2023. Note that we can expect the declaration of Easter Monday, on April 1, 2024, as a one-off public holiday in Timor Leste. In fact, Maundy Thursday and Easter Monday are often declared as public holidays in the same announcement, as was the case in 2020, 2022, and 2023.    
  • Timor Leste Declares March 28 Public Holiday For Maundy Thursday
    Source: Press Release Government Of Timor-Leste (Dili). The government of Timor Leste has announced that it had decided to grant an additional day-off public sector holiday for Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2024 (Tolerância de ponto no dia 28 de março de 2024, todo o dia). The government announcement states that, "Considering that this year, Good Friday and Easter fall on the 29th and 31st of March, respectively" and "Taking into account that the religious celebrations of “Holy Thursday” have great importance and meaning for a large number of believers, who usually participate in religious ceremonies that take place on the occasion of Easter", the Prime Minister has determined that "Point tolerance is granted on March 28, 2024, all day long", as per the provisions of paragraph 2a) and paragraph 6d) of article 7 of Law no.10/2005 as amended by Laws no.10/2023. Note that we can expect the declaration of Easter Monday, on April 1, 2024, as a one-off public holiday in Timor Leste. In fact, Maundy Thursday and Easter Monday are often declared as public holidays in the same announcement, as was the case in 2020, 2022, and 2023.    

March 20, 2024

  • Catalonia (CT)
  • Catalonia (CT)
  • Catalonia 2025 Public Holidays Announced
    Source: Diario Oficial de la Generalitat de Cataluña (DOGC). The Ministry of Business and Labor of the Generalitat de Cataluña has approved the Calendario Laboral containing the list of 2025 working days and holidays in Spain's Autonomous Region of Cataluña, including both the nationwide public holidays in Spain, as well as the Catalonia-specific public holidays of September 11 (Día Nacional de Cataluña) and December 26 (San Esteban). October 12 does not appear in the list of 2025 public holidays in Catalonia as it falls on a Sunday. Additionally, in 2025, one of the above public holidays will be recoverable, meaning that on that date that an employee can decide whether or not to attend the workplace, but if he does not do so, he will have to compensate the company. the possible recoverable holidays in 2025 are January 6, April 21, June 24 and December 26. Finally, as usual, in the territory of Aran, in accordance with Decree 152/1997, of June 25, and Decree 146/1998, of June 23, which modify Decree 177/1980, of October 3, on the calendar of fixed and substitute festivals, the festival of December 26 (Saint Stephen) will be replaced by June 17 (Aran Festival).    
  • Catalonia 2025 Public Holidays Announced
    Source: Diario Oficial de la Generalitat de Cataluña (DOGC). The Ministry of Business and Labor of the Generalitat de Cataluña has approved the Calendario Laboral containing the list of 2025 working days and holidays in Spain's Autonomous Region of Cataluña, including both the nationwide public holidays in Spain, as well as the Catalonia-specific public holidays of September 11 (Día Nacional de Cataluña) and December 26 (San Esteban). October 12 does not appear in the list of 2025 public holidays in Catalonia as it falls on a Sunday. Additionally, in 2025, one of the above public holidays will be recoverable, meaning that on that date that an employee can decide whether or not to attend the workplace, but if he does not do so, he will have to compensate the company. the possible recoverable holidays in 2025 are January 6, April 21, June 24 and December 26. Finally, as usual, in the territory of Aran, in accordance with Decree 152/1997, of June 25, and Decree 146/1998, of June 23, which modify Decree 177/1980, of October 3, on the calendar of fixed and substitute festivals, the festival of December 26 (Saint Stephen) will be replaced by June 17 (Aran Festival).    
  • Costa Rica
  • Costa Rica
  • Costa Rica Gazettes Guanacaste Public Holiday Date Change
    Source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social de Costa Rica (San José). Law 10.438 was published in La Gaceta (Costa Rica's official gazette) under the title Claiming as a historical and sociocultural milestone the incorporation of the Party of Nicoya to Costa Rica through its commemoration on the corresponding day. Law 10.438 stems from Bill 23.559 which passed first and second reading in early January and which eliminates the transfer of the July 25 Anexión de Guanacaste public holiday to the next Monday ("El 25 de julio se celebrará en la fecha respectiva y su celebración o feriado no será trasladado a otro día de la semana"). Both the 2024 Mother's Day and Anexión de Guanacaste public holidays were moved from their fixed date to a nearby Monday, as per paragraph 185 of Law No. 9875 gazetted in La Gaceta number 175, in July 2020. Already the law moving back the 2024 Mother's Day public holiday to August 15 was gazetted in late December.    
  • Costa Rica Gazettes Guanacaste Public Holiday Date Change
    Source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social de Costa Rica (San José). Law 10.438 was published in La Gaceta (Costa Rica's official gazette) under the title Claiming as a historical and sociocultural milestone the incorporation of the Party of Nicoya to Costa Rica through its commemoration on the corresponding day. Law 10.438 stems from Bill 23.559 which passed first and second reading in early January and which eliminates the transfer of the July 25 Anexión de Guanacaste public holiday to the next Monday ("El 25 de julio se celebrará en la fecha respectiva y su celebración o feriado no será trasladado a otro día de la semana"). Both the 2024 Mother's Day and Anexión de Guanacaste public holidays were moved from their fixed date to a nearby Monday, as per paragraph 185 of Law No. 9875 gazetted in La Gaceta number 175, in July 2020. Already the law moving back the 2024 Mother's Day public holiday to August 15 was gazetted in late December.    
  • Madhya Pradesh (MP)
  • Madhya Pradesh (MP)
  • Madhya Pradesh Declares Lok Sabha Public Holidays
    Source: Government of Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal). The Government of India's State of Madhya Pradesh has issued the vide notification No.9/27/THREE/2018/10073-199 declaring a series of public holidays from April 19 until May 13, 2024, corresponding to the various dates on which the constituencies of Madhya Pradesh will vote in the upcoming 2024 General Election to Lok Sabha. This set of public holidays thus amends the terms of the Government vide Notification Sl.F.3-8-2023-A-4 of last December which specified the annual list of non-working public holidays in India's state of Madhya Pradesh for the calendar year 2024. The upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024.    
  • Madhya Pradesh Declares Lok Sabha Public Holidays
    Source: Government of Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal). The Government of India's State of Madhya Pradesh has issued the vide notification No.9/27/THREE/2018/10073-199 declaring a series of public holidays from April 19 until May 13, 2024, corresponding to the various dates on which the constituencies of Madhya Pradesh will vote in the upcoming 2024 General Election to Lok Sabha. This set of public holidays thus amends the terms of the Government vide Notification Sl.F.3-8-2023-A-4 of last December which specified the annual list of non-working public holidays in India's state of Madhya Pradesh for the calendar year 2024. The upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024.    
  • Nicaragua
  • Nicaragua
  • Nicaraguan Easter 2024 Public Sector Holidays Extended
    Source: Ministerio del Trabajo de Nicaragua (MITRAB). Nicaragua's Vice President, Rosario Murillo, has announced that Nicaragua's public sector workers and government services would, this year again, close down for 10 consecutive days, from March 23 to 31, 2024, inclusively, on account of the upcoming Holy Week 2024. The extension of the annual Easter public holidays to a full week for the public sector is a regular occurrence in Nicaragua. The private sector, for its part, gets a 4-day period of non-working public holidays stretching from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday.    
  • Nicaraguan Easter 2024 Public Sector Holidays Extended
    Source: Ministerio del Trabajo de Nicaragua (MITRAB). Nicaragua's Vice President, Rosario Murillo, has announced that Nicaragua's public sector workers and government services would, this year again, close down for 10 consecutive days, from March 23 to 31, 2024, inclusively, on account of the upcoming Holy Week 2024. The extension of the annual Easter public holidays to a full week for the public sector is a regular occurrence in Nicaragua. The private sector, for its part, gets a 4-day period of non-working public holidays stretching from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday.    
  • Pakistan
  • Pakistan
  • Rawalpindi Public Holidays March 21 and 22
    Source: Associated Press Of Pakistan (Islamabad). The Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi, Hassan Waqar Cheema, has announced in the Notification No.1330/ADC/HQ that Thursday and Friday, March 21 and 22, 2024, would be public holidays in Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas on account of March 23rd's, Pakistan Day Parade. Recall that March 23, 2024, was declared a federal public holiday as per last December's Pakistan's Ministry of Interior circular Public and Optional Holidays for the calendar year 2024, which contained the annual list of the expected dates for non-working public holidays, bank holidays and optional holidays for the calendar year 2024.    
  • Rawalpindi Public Holidays March 21 and 22
    Source: Associated Press Of Pakistan (Islamabad). The Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi, Hassan Waqar Cheema, has announced in the Notification No.1330/ADC/HQ that Thursday and Friday, March 21 and 22, 2024, would be public holidays in Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas on account of March 23rd's, Pakistan Day Parade. Recall that March 23, 2024, was declared a federal public holiday as per last December's Pakistan's Ministry of Interior circular Public and Optional Holidays for the calendar year 2024, which contained the annual list of the expected dates for non-working public holidays, bank holidays and optional holidays for the calendar year 2024.    
  • Puerto Rico
  • Puerto Rico
  • Puerto Rico Declares Maundy Thursday Public Sector Holiday
    Source: Oficina de Recursos Humanos del Estado Libre Asociado (ORHELO). The Governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Rafael Pierluisi Urrutia, has signed the Executive Order 2024-002 which declares the upcoming Maundy Thursday on March 28 as a public holiday for Puerto Rico's public sector employees ("conceder a los empleados públicos de la Rama Ejecutiva el jueves 28 de marzo (Jueves Santo) como día feriado y sin cargo a licencia alguna, con el fin de que puedan compartir la solemnidad de la Semana Santa junto a sus seres queridos"). Recall that, in 2011, then Governor, Luis Fortuño, similarly declared Maundy Thursday, on April 21, 2011, as a one-off public sector holiday in Puerto Rico.    
  • Puerto Rico Declares Maundy Thursday Public Sector Holiday
    Source: Oficina de Recursos Humanos del Estado Libre Asociado (ORHELO). The Governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Rafael Pierluisi Urrutia, has signed the Executive Order 2024-002 which declares the upcoming Maundy Thursday on March 28 as a public holiday for Puerto Rico's public sector employees ("conceder a los empleados públicos de la Rama Ejecutiva el jueves 28 de marzo (Jueves Santo) como día feriado y sin cargo a licencia alguna, con el fin de que puedan compartir la solemnidad de la Semana Santa junto a sus seres queridos"). Recall that, in 2011, then Governor, Luis Fortuño, similarly declared Maundy Thursday, on April 21, 2011, as a one-off public sector holiday in Puerto Rico.    
  • Rajasthan (RJ)
  • Rajasthan (RJ)
  • Rajasthan Declares Lok Sabha Public Holidays April 19 and 26
    Source: Government of Rajasthan (Jaipur). The Government of India's state of Rajasthan has announced that it would declare the dates of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as public holidays for all workers in private, industrial institutions and government undertakings on their respective voting day, thus amending the list of 2024 public holidays is Rajasthan as set out in last October's vide notification No.06(1)SA/PR/6/2022-2480. Recall that, this past Monday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates of the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected. These upcoming general elections which will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024, will be held in Rajasthan in phases 1 and 2, namely April 19 and 26, 2024.    
  • Rajasthan Declares Lok Sabha Public Holidays April 19 and 26
    Source: Government of Rajasthan (Jaipur). The Government of India's state of Rajasthan has announced that it would declare the dates of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as public holidays for all workers in private, industrial institutions and government undertakings on their respective voting day, thus amending the list of 2024 public holidays is Rajasthan as set out in last October's vide notification No.06(1)SA/PR/6/2022-2480. Recall that, this past Monday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates of the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected. These upcoming general elections which will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024, will be held in Rajasthan in phases 1 and 2, namely April 19 and 26, 2024.    
  • Romania
  • Romania
  • Romania Adds Holiday On Date Of Israel's Independence
    Source: Mediafax (Bucharest). The Parliament of Romania on Tuesday adopted a law to establishing May 14 as the National Day of Friendship and Solidarity between Romania and the State of Israel. Recall that the State of Israel was officially established on May 14, 1948, though its Independence Day Holiday is observed annually on Iyar 5.    
  • Romania Adds Holiday On Date Of Israel's Independence
    Source: Mediafax (Bucharest). The Parliament of Romania on Tuesday adopted a law to establishing May 14 as the National Day of Friendship and Solidarity between Romania and the State of Israel. Recall that the State of Israel was officially established on May 14, 1948, though its Independence Day Holiday is observed annually on Iyar 5.    

March 19, 2024

  • Azerbaijan
  • Azerbaijan
  • Azerbaijan Celbrates Earth Tuesday of Novruz Public Holidays
    Source: Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers (Baku). Today, Azerbaijan is marking Earth/Last Tuesday, the fourth of four Tuesdays leading to the annual Novruz public holidays of Azerbaijan. Recall that, as per a decision by the Board of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Azerbaijan, early last month, March 20-26, 2024, inclusively, will be public holidays for Novruz. The four Tuesdays leading to Novruz are Su Chershenbesi (Water Tuesday), Od Chershenbesi (Fire Tuesday), Hava Charshanbasi (Wind Tuesday), and Torpag Chershenbe/Ilakhir Chershenbe (Earth Tuesday/Last Tuesday).    
  • Azerbaijan Celbrates Earth Tuesday of Novruz Public Holidays
    Source: Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers (Baku). Today, Azerbaijan is marking Earth/Last Tuesday, the fourth of four Tuesdays leading to the annual Novruz public holidays of Azerbaijan. Recall that, as per a decision by the Board of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Azerbaijan, early last month, March 20-26, 2024, inclusively, will be public holidays for Novruz. The four Tuesdays leading to Novruz are Su Chershenbesi (Water Tuesday), Od Chershenbesi (Fire Tuesday), Hava Charshanbasi (Wind Tuesday), and Torpag Chershenbe/Ilakhir Chershenbe (Earth Tuesday/Last Tuesday).    
  • Extremadura (EX)
  • Extremadura (EX)
  • Extremadura 2025 Public Holidays Progresses Unchallenged
    Source: Diario Oficial de Extremadura (DOE). The draft decree of the list of regional public holidays for the calendar year 2025 in Extremadura, as published on March 1st by the Government of María Guardiola's Ministry of Economy, Employment and Digital Transformation of Spain's Autonomous Region of Extremadura has completed its 15 day period of public consultations and is now waiting to be approved by the Government Council. As per the aforementioned draft decree, the Autonomous Region of Extremadura will not declare Shrove Tuesday a regional public holiday in 2025, preferring to declare the Monday after the October 12 National Day holiday as a day in lieu public holiday in 2025. 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 Progresses Unchallenged
    Source: Diario Oficial de Extremadura (DOE). The draft decree of the list of regional public holidays for the calendar year 2025 in Extremadura, as published on March 1st by the Government of María Guardiola's Ministry of Economy, Employment and Digital Transformation of Spain's Autonomous Region of Extremadura has completed its 15 day period of public consultations and is now waiting to be approved by the Government Council. As per the aforementioned draft decree, the Autonomous Region of Extremadura will not declare Shrove Tuesday a regional public holiday in 2025, preferring to declare the Monday after the October 12 National Day holiday as a day in lieu public holiday in 2025. 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.    
  • Guyana
  • Guyana
  • Guyana Phagwah Public Holiday March 25
    Source: Guyana Government Information Agency (GINA). Guyana's Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, has signed the Gazette Notification 78/2024/695 (Notification made under the Public Holidays Act CAP 19:07) declaring Monday, March 25, 2024, as a public holiday in Guyana, on account of Phagwah ("Pursuant To The Provisions Of Section 3 (1) Of The Public Holidays Act, Chapter 19:07, Of The Laws Of Guyana, Monday March 25, 2024 Is Hereby Declared A Public Holiday").    
  • Guyana Phagwah Public Holiday March 25
    Source: Guyana Government Information Agency (GINA). Guyana's Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, has signed the Gazette Notification 78/2024/695 (Notification made under the Public Holidays Act CAP 19:07) declaring Monday, March 25, 2024, as a public holiday in Guyana, on account of Phagwah ("Pursuant To The Provisions Of Section 3 (1) Of The Public Holidays Act, Chapter 19:07, Of The Laws Of Guyana, Monday March 25, 2024 Is Hereby Declared A Public Holiday").    
  • Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong 2024 Public Holidays Will Have One More Statutory Public Holiday
    Source: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR). The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government list of gazetted 2024 public holidays includes one additional statutory public holiday on the first weekday after Christmas. This is a consequence of the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021 which will have seen the number of statutory holidays in Hong Kong, increase from 12 days to 17, over the 9-year period from 2022 to 2030. Three more statutory public holidays will be added to Hong Kong's calendar of annual public holidays; Easter Monady in 2026, Good Friday in 2028, and the day following Good Friday in 2030.    
  • Hong Kong 2024 Public Holidays Will Have One More Statutory Public Holiday
    Source: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR). The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government list of gazetted 2024 public holidays includes one additional statutory public holiday on the first weekday after Christmas. This is a consequence of the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021 which will have seen the number of statutory holidays in Hong Kong, increase from 12 days to 17, over the 9-year period from 2022 to 2030. Three more statutory public holidays will be added to Hong Kong's calendar of annual public holidays; Easter Monady in 2026, Good Friday in 2028, and the day following Good Friday in 2030.    
  • Ladakh (LA)
  • Ladakh (LA)
  • Ladakh Lok Sabha Public Holiday May 20
    Source: Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh (Leh). The Government of India's Union Territory of Ladakh has published the vide notification order No. 142-LA (GAD), signed by Ladakh's IAS Administrative Secretary of the General Administration Department, Michael M. D’Souza, which declares the date of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as public holidays in Ladakh. As pre the vide notification, "In terms of Section 135 B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, it is hereby ordered that, i. the poll day on 20th May, 2024 (Monday) shall be observed as public holiday in the Union territory of Ladakh (Parliamentary Constituency - Ladakh) on account of General Elections to House of the People (Lok Sabha), 2024; ii. the poll day shall also be declared as paid holiday to every person employed, including those who work on shift basis; in any business, trade, industrial undertakings or any other establishments and entitled to vote at an election to the House of the People. Daily wage / casual workers shall also be entitled for the holiday and wages on the poll day; and iii. the poll day shall also be observed as a holiday in terms of explanation to Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.". Today's declaration of a public holiday on Monday, May 20, 2024, follows yesterday's announcement by the Election Commission of India (ECI) of the dates of the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected, and amends the list of 2024 public holidays in the Union Territory of Ladakh as published last autumn in the Government vide order F.No: A/15/2020-O/o Un Secy - GAD of 2023, also signed by Michael D'Souza.    
  • Ladakh Lok Sabha Public Holiday May 20
    Source: Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh (Leh). The Government of India's Union Territory of Ladakh has published the vide notification order No. 142-LA (GAD), signed by Ladakh's IAS Administrative Secretary of the General Administration Department, Michael M. D’Souza, which declares the date of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as public holidays in Ladakh. As pre the vide notification, "In terms of Section 135 B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, it is hereby ordered that, i. the poll day on 20th May, 2024 (Monday) shall be observed as public holiday in the Union territory of Ladakh (Parliamentary Constituency - Ladakh) on account of General Elections to House of the People (Lok Sabha), 2024; ii. the poll day shall also be declared as paid holiday to every person employed, including those who work on shift basis; in any business, trade, industrial undertakings or any other establishments and entitled to vote at an election to the House of the People. Daily wage / casual workers shall also be entitled for the holiday and wages on the poll day; and iii. the poll day shall also be observed as a holiday in terms of explanation to Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.". Today's declaration of a public holiday on Monday, May 20, 2024, follows yesterday's announcement by the Election Commission of India (ECI) of the dates of the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected, and amends the list of 2024 public holidays in the Union Territory of Ladakh as published last autumn in the Government vide order F.No: A/15/2020-O/o Un Secy - GAD of 2023, also signed by Michael D'Souza.    
  • Maldives
  • Maldives
  • Maldives Declares Electoral Public Holidays On April 21 and 22
    Source: Maldives President's Office Press Release (Male). The President of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, has declared the date of the upcoming Parliamentary Elections, April 21, as well as the following day (April 22) as one-off public holidays, as the Maldives Elections Commission (EC) had requested, earlier this month. The Parliamentary Elections were supposed to occur on March 17, 2024, but late in February, President Muizzu ratified a bill of amendments to the General Elections Act which prohibits elections from being held during the month of Ramadan, leading to the elections being moved to Sunday, April 21, 2024. In 2019, then President Solih declared the day after that year's Parliamentary Elections as a one-off non-working public holiday, as the 2019 elections were held on a Saturday, which is part of the weekend in the Maldives.    
  • Maldives Declares Electoral Public Holidays On April 21 and 22
    Source: Maldives President's Office Press Release (Male). The President of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, has declared the date of the upcoming Parliamentary Elections, April 21, as well as the following day (April 22) as one-off public holidays, as the Maldives Elections Commission (EC) had requested, earlier this month. The Parliamentary Elections were supposed to occur on March 17, 2024, but late in February, President Muizzu ratified a bill of amendments to the General Elections Act which prohibits elections from being held during the month of Ramadan, leading to the elections being moved to Sunday, April 21, 2024. In 2019, then President Solih declared the day after that year's Parliamentary Elections as a one-off non-working public holiday, as the 2019 elections were held on a Saturday, which is part of the weekend in the Maldives.    
  • Philippines
  • Philippines
  • Philippines Bill To Make Iglesia ni Cristo Day A Non-Working Public Holiday
    Source: Philippine Information Agency (Manila). Philippines Senator, Robin Padilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, has pledged to support Senate Bill No. 1087 and Senate Bill No. 1546 which aim to declare July 27 an annual nonworking public holiday marking the founding of the INC (Iglesia ni Cristo). Speaking at a Senate hearing on the matter, Senator Padilla argued that "It is only fitting that a non-working holiday be declared to give the nation the opportunity to commemorate the contributions of the Iglesia ni Cristo to the nation in the last 110 years". July 27 is already an annual special working holiday as per Republic Act 9645, signed into law by then President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on June 12, 2009. Later that same year, President Macapagal Arroyo, declared Monday, September 7, 2009, as a non-working public holiday throughout the country to coincide with the funeral of INC executive minister Erano Manalo. In March 2014, the Philippines House of Representatives passed House Bill No. 364, declaring July 27, 2014, as a special one-off non-working public holidays in the Philippines to commemorate the centennial of the INC. In June 2014, the Senate then passed a resolution in support of House Bill No. 364, and the Philippines Department of Justice, through its Justice Secretary, Leila de Lima, announced in early July 2014 that it saw no legal impediment to House Bill No. 364, leading then President, Benigno Aquino III, to declare July 27, 2014, as a one-off non-working public holiday in the Philippines in observance of the Iglesia ni Cristo centennial anniversary. To ensure that the one-off status of the July 27, 2014, public holiday was clear, an announcement in the Philippines Official Gazette of July 15, 2015, reminded the population that the INC's 101st anniversary, on July 27, 2015, was a working holiday, in accordance with Republic Act 9645.    
  • Philippines Bill To Make Iglesia ni Cristo Day A Non-Working Public Holiday
    Source: Philippine Information Agency (Manila). Philippines Senator, Robin Padilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, has pledged to support Senate Bill No. 1087 and Senate Bill No. 1546 which aim to declare July 27 an annual nonworking public holiday marking the founding of the INC (Iglesia ni Cristo). Speaking at a Senate hearing on the matter, Senator Padilla argued that "It is only fitting that a non-working holiday be declared to give the nation the opportunity to commemorate the contributions of the Iglesia ni Cristo to the nation in the last 110 years". July 27 is already an annual special working holiday as per Republic Act 9645, signed into law by then President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on June 12, 2009. Later that same year, President Macapagal Arroyo, declared Monday, September 7, 2009, as a non-working public holiday throughout the country to coincide with the funeral of INC executive minister Erano Manalo. In March 2014, the Philippines House of Representatives passed House Bill No. 364, declaring July 27, 2014, as a special one-off non-working public holidays in the Philippines to commemorate the centennial of the INC. In June 2014, the Senate then passed a resolution in support of House Bill No. 364, and the Philippines Department of Justice, through its Justice Secretary, Leila de Lima, announced in early July 2014 that it saw no legal impediment to House Bill No. 364, leading then President, Benigno Aquino III, to declare July 27, 2014, as a one-off non-working public holiday in the Philippines in observance of the Iglesia ni Cristo centennial anniversary. To ensure that the one-off status of the July 27, 2014, public holiday was clear, an announcement in the Philippines Official Gazette of July 15, 2015, reminded the population that the INC's 101st anniversary, on July 27, 2015, was a working holiday, in accordance with Republic Act 9645.    

March 18, 2024

  • Argentina
  • Argentina
  • Argentina Maintains Low Key March 24 Public Holiday
    Source: Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina (Buenos Aires). The Government of Argentina's President, Javier Milei, has confirmed that they would maintain the upcoming National Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice as a public holiday on Sunday, March 24, 2024, and would not move it to the following Monday, as that public holiday is set as immovable. However, President Milei questions the figure of missing detainees and the official history behind that public holiday established in 2002 by National Law 25,633, and therefore his administration has not planned to call any event or activity to commemorate the date.    
  • Argentina Maintains Low Key March 24 Public Holiday
    Source: Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina (Buenos Aires). The Government of Argentina's President, Javier Milei, has confirmed that they would maintain the upcoming National Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice as a public holiday on Sunday, March 24, 2024, and would not move it to the following Monday, as that public holiday is set as immovable. However, President Milei questions the figure of missing detainees and the official history behind that public holiday established in 2002 by National Law 25,633, and therefore his administration has not planned to call any event or activity to commemorate the date.    
  • Bolivia
  • Bolivia
  • Bolivian Father's Day Public Holiday March 19
    Source: Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social (La Paz). Bolivia's Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Securit has announced that March 19 would be a half-day non-working public holiday for the Bolivian public and private sector ("In response to Supreme Decree No. 4927 of May 1, 2023, it informs the general population that in commemoration of Bolivian Father's Day, a half-day holiday is available on Tuesday, March 19 of this year. year for all parents who perform functions in the public and private sectors."). In 2012 and 2014, March 19 had also been declared a half-day public holiday, but it was limited to the public sector and to fathers.    
  • Bolivian Father's Day Public Holiday March 19
    Source: Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social (La Paz). Bolivia's Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Securit has announced that March 19 would be a half-day non-working public holiday for the Bolivian public and private sector ("In response to Supreme Decree No. 4927 of May 1, 2023, it informs the general population that in commemoration of Bolivian Father's Day, a half-day holiday is available on Tuesday, March 19 of this year. year for all parents who perform functions in the public and private sectors."). In 2012 and 2014, March 19 had also been declared a half-day public holiday, but it was limited to the public sector and to fathers.    
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH)
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH)
  • Bosnia Rules-Out Public Holidays On Account Of Elections In Other Countries
    Source: Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina News (Sarajevo). The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), due to the large number of enquiries from the media, has announced that, "according to the current legislation of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is not possible to declare non-working days in connection with elections in other countries ". The Ministry did, however, add that "the provisions of Article 54, paragraph 3 of the Labor Law (Official Gazette of the Federation of BiH, number: 26/ 16, 89/18 and 44/22), it is prescribed that the employer is obliged to allow the employee a leave of absence of up to four working days in one calendar year in order to satisfy his religious or traditional needs, with the provision that the leave of two days is used with salary compensation", leaving open that option for those wanting to take the day off on account of an election in another country.    
  • Bosnia Rules-Out Public Holidays On Account Of Elections In Other Countries
    Source: Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina News (Sarajevo). The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), due to the large number of enquiries from the media, has announced that, "according to the current legislation of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is not possible to declare non-working days in connection with elections in other countries ". The Ministry did, however, add that "the provisions of Article 54, paragraph 3 of the Labor Law (Official Gazette of the Federation of BiH, number: 26/ 16, 89/18 and 44/22), it is prescribed that the employer is obliged to allow the employee a leave of absence of up to four working days in one calendar year in order to satisfy his religious or traditional needs, with the provision that the leave of two days is used with salary compensation", leaving open that option for those wanting to take the day off on account of an election in another country.    
  • Honduras
  • Honduras
  • Honduras Officializes Extended Easter 2024 Public Sector Public Holidays
    Source: El Heraldo (Tegucigalpa). The Ministry of the Interior, Justice and Decentralization of Honduras has issued an official communique confirming that all public sector officials and employees will enjoy additional public holidays from Monday to Wednesday, March 25 to 27, 2024, on account of the upcoming semana santa (Easter week), as it almost always does ("Officials and employees of the public administration are authorized so that from Monday the 25th to Friday the 29th of March of this year, they have the holiday of the main week, with the understanding that on Monday the 25th, Tuesday the 26th and Wednesday the 27th they are on account of the holidays corresponding to the year 2024"). The practice of declaring the entire holy week as public sector holidays in Honduras can be traced back to 2005, when then President of Honduras, Ricardo Maduro, issued a decree moving, for 2005, the observance of the April 14, October 12 and October 21 public holidays to the first 3 days of the the week before Easter.    
  • Honduras Officializes Extended Easter 2024 Public Sector Public Holidays
    Source: El Heraldo (Tegucigalpa). The Ministry of the Interior, Justice and Decentralization of Honduras has issued an official communique confirming that all public sector officials and employees will enjoy additional public holidays from Monday to Wednesday, March 25 to 27, 2024, on account of the upcoming semana santa (Easter week), as it almost always does ("Officials and employees of the public administration are authorized so that from Monday the 25th to Friday the 29th of March of this year, they have the holiday of the main week, with the understanding that on Monday the 25th, Tuesday the 26th and Wednesday the 27th they are on account of the holidays corresponding to the year 2024"). The practice of declaring the entire holy week as public sector holidays in Honduras can be traced back to 2005, when then President of Honduras, Ricardo Maduro, issued a decree moving, for 2005, the observance of the April 14, October 12 and October 21 public holidays to the first 3 days of the the week before Easter.    
  • India
  • India
  • India Announces Dates Of 2024 Lok Sabha Elections
    Source: The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (New Delhi). The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the dates of the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected. These upcoming general elections will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024, covering 970 million voters, in 28 states and eight union territories, with voting in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, occurring on all 7 phases. Based on previous Lok Sabha elections, we can expect many Indian states to declare one-off public holidays on the date when they are set to vote, as happened in 2019 in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand.    
  • India Announces Dates Of 2024 Lok Sabha Elections
    Source: The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (New Delhi). The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the dates of the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections, in which the 543 members of the Indian lower house of parliament will be elected. These upcoming general elections will follow a seven-phase schedule from April 19 to June 1, 2024, covering 970 million voters, in 28 states and eight union territories, with voting in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, occurring on all 7 phases. Based on previous Lok Sabha elections, we can expect many Indian states to declare one-off public holidays on the date when they are set to vote, as happened in 2019 in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand.    
  • Philippines
  • Philippines
  • Pangasinan Provincial Public Holiday April 5
    Source: Philippine Information Agency (Manila). The Office of the President of the Philippines has declared Friday, April 5, 2024, a special non-working public holiday in the entire province of Pangasinan for its 444th founding anniversary. As per Proclamation 498, signed by Executive Secretary, Lucas Bersamin, "It is but fitting and proper that the people of the province of Pangasinan will be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration". Although April 5th had been observed in Pangasinan Province since 2010, it was in 2019 that then President, Rodrigo Duterte, signed Republic Act 11374 (An Act Declaring April 5 of Every Year a Special Working Holiday in the Province of Pangasinan, in Commemoration of its Founding Anniversary, to be known as the Pangasinan Day).    
  • Pangasinan Provincial Public Holiday April 5
    Source: Philippine Information Agency (Manila). The Office of the President of the Philippines has declared Friday, April 5, 2024, a special non-working public holiday in the entire province of Pangasinan for its 444th founding anniversary. As per Proclamation 498, signed by Executive Secretary, Lucas Bersamin, "It is but fitting and proper that the people of the province of Pangasinan will be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration". Although April 5th had been observed in Pangasinan Province since 2010, it was in 2019 that then President, Rodrigo Duterte, signed Republic Act 11374 (An Act Declaring April 5 of Every Year a Special Working Holiday in the Province of Pangasinan, in Commemoration of its Founding Anniversary, to be known as the Pangasinan Day).    
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sri Lanka Sinhala and Tamil New Year Public Holidays Timings Questioned
    Source: Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs (Colombo). At a a news conference at the Government Information Department, Sri Lanka's State Astrologers’ Committee refuted allegations that it had announced incorrect auspicious times during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year public holiday. The main issue being raised is that the auspicious times occur late in the evening, an event that occurs only every 4 years. As per Committee member astrologer, G.M. Gunapala, "the auspicious times were designated at night during the six hours and twenty-four minutes avoiding the Raahu Kalaya" while acknowledging that there are "practical issues in observing New Year rituals at night". Astrologer A.K.U. Sarath Chandra reminded the media that the majority of the Committee approved the designated times and that only five members out of the 42 had objected and had wanted the auspicious times designated during daytime.    
  • Sri Lanka Sinhala and Tamil New Year Public Holidays Timings Questioned
    Source: Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs (Colombo). At a a news conference at the Government Information Department, Sri Lanka's State Astrologers’ Committee refuted allegations that it had announced incorrect auspicious times during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year public holiday. The main issue being raised is that the auspicious times occur late in the evening, an event that occurs only every 4 years. As per Committee member astrologer, G.M. Gunapala, "the auspicious times were designated at night during the six hours and twenty-four minutes avoiding the Raahu Kalaya" while acknowledging that there are "practical issues in observing New Year rituals at night". Astrologer A.K.U. Sarath Chandra reminded the media that the majority of the Committee approved the designated times and that only five members out of the 42 had objected and had wanted the auspicious times designated during daytime.    

March 17, 2024

  • Jordan
  • Jordan
  • Jordan Announces Dates Of 2024 Eid al-Fitr Public Holidays
    Source: Petra Jordan News Agency Petra (Amman). Jordanian Prime Minister, Bisher Al-Khasawneh, has issued a circular announcing that the upcoming Eid Al Fitr (End of Ramadan) public holidays in Jordan would be observed in the public sector from Tuesday to Friday, April 9 to 12, 2024, inclusively. As per the aforementioned circular (عُطلة عيد الفطر السَّعيد من التَّاسع وحتَّى الثَّاني عشر من نيسان المقبل), "all ministries, official departments, public institutions and bodies, public universities, municipalities, joint services councils, the Greater Amman Municipality, and companies wholly owned by the government will suspend their work, starting from the morning of Tuesday, the ninth of April, 2024, until the evening of Friday, the twelfth of April".    
  • Jordan Announces Dates Of 2024 Eid al-Fitr Public Holidays
    Source: Petra Jordan News Agency Petra (Amman). Jordanian Prime Minister, Bisher Al-Khasawneh, has issued a circular announcing that the upcoming Eid Al Fitr (End of Ramadan) public holidays in Jordan would be observed in the public sector from Tuesday to Friday, April 9 to 12, 2024, inclusively. As per the aforementioned circular (عُطلة عيد الفطر السَّعيد من التَّاسع وحتَّى الثَّاني عشر من نيسان المقبل), "all ministries, official departments, public institutions and bodies, public universities, municipalities, joint services councils, the Greater Amman Municipality, and companies wholly owned by the government will suspend their work, starting from the morning of Tuesday, the ninth of April, 2024, until the evening of Friday, the twelfth of April".    
  • Nepal
  • Nepal
  • Nepal Publishes List Of Essential Government Offices To Remain Open On Public Holidays
    Source: Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu). Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has finally issued a notice in yesterday's official gazette listing the government departments that would keep on operating on 18 types of public holidays. The essential services required to operate on specified public holidays include Citizenship Department, Passport Office, National Identity Card and Citizenship Section of the District Administration Office, Survey Offices, and Department of Customs. The offices of these administrations 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. The gazette notice even includes Janayudhha Diwas (People’s War Day) in the aforementioned list of public holidays, even though the Nepalese Supreme Court annulled the declaration of the contentious Fagun 1 Janayudhha Diwas public holiday late last December, a decision which was officialized by the Council of Ministers of the Government of Nepal early last month, and concretized, later that same month, in the official list of public holidays for the Nepalese year B.S. 2081, which runs from mid-April 2024 until mid-April 2025, as published by the Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs. Yesterday's list of essential government offices to remain open on public holidays had been announced in February 2023, when we reported that The Nepalese government cabinet has decided to open essential government offices on public holidays, except Saturdays, and that a list of essential offices, and the modalities to compensate employees working on public holidays, was "being prepared".    
  • Nepal Publishes List Of Essential Government Offices To Remain Open On Public Holidays
    Source: Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu). Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has finally issued a notice in yesterday's official gazette listing the government departments that would keep on operating on 18 types of public holidays. The essential services required to operate on specified public holidays include Citizenship Department, Passport Office, National Identity Card and Citizenship Section of the District Administration Office, Survey Offices, and Department of Customs. The offices of these administrations 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. The gazette notice even includes Janayudhha Diwas (People’s War Day) in the aforementioned list of public holidays, even though the Nepalese Supreme Court annulled the declaration of the contentious Fagun 1 Janayudhha Diwas public holiday late last December, a decision which was officialized by the Council of Ministers of the Government of Nepal early last month, and concretized, later that same month, in the official list of public holidays for the Nepalese year B.S. 2081, which runs from mid-April 2024 until mid-April 2025, as published by the Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs. Yesterday's list of essential government offices to remain open on public holidays had been announced in February 2023, when we reported that The Nepalese government cabinet has decided to open essential government offices on public holidays, except Saturdays, and that a list of essential offices, and the modalities to compensate employees working on public holidays, was "being prepared".    
  • Western Australia (WA)
  • Western Australia (WA)
  • Western Australia Announces Easter Public Holiday Arrangements
    Source: Western Australia Department of Labour Relations and Commerce (Perth). The Government of the Australian State of Western Australia has published the Easter public holiday arrangements confirming and clarifying the dates of the upcoming Easter period public holidays in Western Australia, following the Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Bill 2021, which made Easter Sunday a new annual public holiday in Western Australia, beginning in 2022. At that time, the WA government announcement stated that "This will bring Western Australia into alignment with Victoria, NSW, Queensland and the ACT, which all observe Easter Sunday as a public holiday.", but a couple of months later, the Government of Australia's Northern Territory declared Easter Sunday 2022 as an as an extra public holiday. A few years before that, in 2019, as part of negotiations with the state government employees, the then Industrial Relations Minister of the Government of the Australian State of Western Australia, Bill Johnston, had offered to Western Australia's public sector employees Easter Sunday as a new public holiday. But, not surprisingly, his offer was met with scoff.    
  • Western Australia Announces Easter Public Holiday Arrangements
    Source: Western Australia Department of Labour Relations and Commerce (Perth). The Government of the Australian State of Western Australia has published the Easter public holiday arrangements confirming and clarifying the dates of the upcoming Easter period public holidays in Western Australia, following the Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Bill 2021, which made Easter Sunday a new annual public holiday in Western Australia, beginning in 2022. At that time, the WA government announcement stated that "This will bring Western Australia into alignment with Victoria, NSW, Queensland and the ACT, which all observe Easter Sunday as a public holiday.", but a couple of months later, the Government of Australia's Northern Territory declared Easter Sunday 2022 as an as an extra public holiday. A few years before that, in 2019, as part of negotiations with the state government employees, the then Industrial Relations Minister of the Government of the Australian State of Western Australia, Bill Johnston, had offered to Western Australia's public sector employees Easter Sunday as a new public holiday. But, not surprisingly, his offer was met with scoff.    

March 16, 2024

  • Argentina
  • Argentina
  • Argentina Headed for 4 Consecutive Bank Holidays
    Source: Banco Central de la República Argentina (Buenos Aires). The Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA) has issued the communique C97002, signed by the Authorizations manager, Marcelo Alejandro Retorta, and the Deputy General Manager of Compliance and Control, Néstor Daniel Robledo, which confirms that banks in Argentina will be closed on 4 consecutive working days, from Thursday March 28 to Tuesday, April 2, 2024 (6 consecutive days if counting weekend days). The aforementioned communique is in line with the list of 2024 bank holidays in Argentina that the BCRA published in early January, as well as with last December's Decreto 106/2023 (DECTO-2023-106-APN-PTE), signed by Argentina's President, Javier Milei, and by which he declared 3 one-off bridge public holidays in 2024, one of which being Monday, April 1st.    
  • Argentina Headed for 4 Consecutive Bank Holidays
    Source: Banco Central de la República Argentina (Buenos Aires). The Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA) has issued the communique C97002, signed by the Authorizations manager, Marcelo Alejandro Retorta, and the Deputy General Manager of Compliance and Control, Néstor Daniel Robledo, which confirms that banks in Argentina will be closed on 4 consecutive working days, from Thursday March 28 to Tuesday, April 2, 2024 (6 consecutive days if counting weekend days). The aforementioned communique is in line with the list of 2024 bank holidays in Argentina that the BCRA published in early January, as well as with last December's Decreto 106/2023 (DECTO-2023-106-APN-PTE), signed by Argentina's President, Javier Milei, and by which he declared 3 one-off bridge public holidays in 2024, one of which being Monday, April 1st.    
  • Aruba
  • Aruba
  • Aruba National Anthem And Flag Day Public Holiday
    Source: Office of the Governor of Aruba (Oranjestad). The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and the Department of Labor and Research of the government of Aruba have issued a communique informing the population that the National Anthem And Flag Day public holiday would be observed on Monday, March 18, 2024, and detailing the list of the "cultural, sports and social activities (that) will take place in all districts of Aruba to celebrate the national holiday".    
  • Aruba National Anthem And Flag Day Public Holiday
    Source: Office of the Governor of Aruba (Oranjestad). The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and the Department of Labor and Research of the government of Aruba have issued a communique informing the population that the National Anthem And Flag Day public holiday would be observed on Monday, March 18, 2024, and detailing the list of the "cultural, sports and social activities (that) will take place in all districts of Aruba to celebrate the national holiday".    
  • Indonesia
  • Indonesia
  • Indonesia Expects Eid Al-Fitr April 10th Date To Be Unchanged
    Source: Situs Resmi Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Kesejahteraan Rakyat (Jakarta). Indonesia's Deputy for Coordination of Education Quality Improvement and Religious Moderation at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Warsito, has announced that the Indonesian government did not expect the results of the isbat session at the end of the month of Ramadan to yield a date for the Eid Al-Fitr that differs from the April 10th date contained in last September's Joint Decree (SKB) of the Minister of Religion, Minister of Manpower, Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform Number 855 of 2023, Number 3 of 2023, Number 4 of 2023 concerning National Holidays and Collective Leave in 2024, detailing the list of public holidays and collective leave days for the calendar year 2024. Recall that, since 2022, the calculation of the dates of Muslim months in Indonesia is based on revised MABIMS criteria that specify that the new Moon crescent is visible if, at the time of the sunset that follows a new Moon, the Moon has a minimum altitude of 3 degrees and an elongation of 6.4 degrees. Note that, as per the aforementioned Joint Decree Number 855, both April 10 and 11 are listed as public holidays, so that even if the results of the isbat session of April 9th are inconclusive, no amendment to the list of 2024 Indonesian public holidays will be necessary.    
  • Indonesia Expects Eid Al-Fitr April 10th Date To Be Unchanged
    Source: Situs Resmi Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Kesejahteraan Rakyat (Jakarta). Indonesia's Deputy for Coordination of Education Quality Improvement and Religious Moderation at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Warsito, has announced that the Indonesian government did not expect the results of the isbat session at the end of the month of Ramadan to yield a date for the Eid Al-Fitr that differs from the April 10th date contained in last September's Joint Decree (SKB) of the Minister of Religion, Minister of Manpower, Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform Number 855 of 2023, Number 3 of 2023, Number 4 of 2023 concerning National Holidays and Collective Leave in 2024, detailing the list of public holidays and collective leave days for the calendar year 2024. Recall that, since 2022, the calculation of the dates of Muslim months in Indonesia is based on revised MABIMS criteria that specify that the new Moon crescent is visible if, at the time of the sunset that follows a new Moon, the Moon has a minimum altitude of 3 degrees and an elongation of 6.4 degrees. Note that, as per the aforementioned Joint Decree Number 855, both April 10 and 11 are listed as public holidays, so that even if the results of the isbat session of April 9th are inconclusive, no amendment to the list of 2024 Indonesian public holidays will be necessary.    
  • Myanmar
  • Myanmar
  • Myanmar Restores 2024 Public Holidays
    Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Yangoon). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government of Myanmar has published a new and further amended list of public holidays for the remainder of the calendar year 2024, in which the additional day added to most of the public holidays for March to December 2024 has been removed. The net effect of today's amendments to last week's amendments is to return to the status quo ante, namely the list of public holidays in Myanmar for the calendar year 2024, taking into account the 2019 amendments to the rules governing the public holidays in Myanmar, as published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government of Myanmar in early January.    
  • Myanmar Restores 2024 Public Holidays
    Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Yangoon). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government of Myanmar has published a new and further amended list of public holidays for the remainder of the calendar year 2024, in which the additional day added to most of the public holidays for March to December 2024 has been removed. The net effect of today's amendments to last week's amendments is to return to the status quo ante, namely the list of public holidays in Myanmar for the calendar year 2024, taking into account the 2019 amendments to the rules governing the public holidays in Myanmar, as published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government of Myanmar in early January.    
  • South Australia (SA)
  • South Australia (SA)
  • South Australia Clarifies Proclamation Day Public Holiday Date Determination
    Source: Government of South Australia SafeWork SA (Adelaide). Following last month's release of an amended version of the list of 2024 and 2025 public holidays, as regards the conjoined name of Boxing Day and Proclamation Day on December 26 as Proclamation Day holiday and Boxing Day, the Government of the State of South Australia has clarified the official date of South Australia’s Proclamation Day and the date of the related public holiday conjoined with Boxing Day ("South Australia’s Proclamation Day is 28 December, however the Proclamation Day holiday is observed on 26 December. There is an additional public holiday when the following occurs. • When 26 December falls on a Saturday, that day and the following Monday are public holidays. • When 26 December falls on a Sunday or Monday, that day and the following Tuesday are public holidays.").    
  • South Australia Clarifies Proclamation Day Public Holiday Date Determination
    Source: Government of South Australia SafeWork SA (Adelaide). Following last month's release of an amended version of the list of 2024 and 2025 public holidays, as regards the conjoined name of Boxing Day and Proclamation Day on December 26 as Proclamation Day holiday and Boxing Day, the Government of the State of South Australia has clarified the official date of South Australia’s Proclamation Day and the date of the related public holiday conjoined with Boxing Day ("South Australia’s Proclamation Day is 28 December, however the Proclamation Day holiday is observed on 26 December. There is an additional public holiday when the following occurs. • When 26 December falls on a Saturday, that day and the following Monday are public holidays. • When 26 December falls on a Sunday or Monday, that day and the following Tuesday are public holidays.").    

March 15, 2024

  • Angola
  • Angola
  • FNLA Calls For March 15 Public Holiday
    Source: Jornal de Angola (Luanda). The National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) has once again called for the declaration of March 15 as a new annual public holiday in Angola. As per FNLA spokesperson, Ndonda Nzinga, March 15 1961, "was a date that shook the foundations of the colonial regime and awakened the conscience of all lovers of peace and progress, there would be no freedom or independence for Angola and former Portuguese colonies in Africa, in addition to contributing to the final collapse of the Salazarist dictatorship". Public holidays in Angola are currently determined by the 2018 Lei de Alteração à Lei dos Feriados Nacionais, Locais e Datas de Celebração Nacional, which amended the then current public holidays legislation of Angola by adding some bridge holiday provisions for fixed-date Angolan public holidays falling on a Tuesday or Thursday, as well as, in a last-minute amendment to the amendments, a new annual public holiday on March 23.    
  • FNLA Calls For March 15 Public Holiday
    Source: Jornal de Angola (Luanda). The National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) has once again called for the declaration of March 15 as a new annual public holiday in Angola. As per FNLA spokesperson, Ndonda Nzinga, March 15 1961, "was a date that shook the foundations of the colonial regime and awakened the conscience of all lovers of peace and progress, there would be no freedom or independence for Angola and former Portuguese colonies in Africa, in addition to contributing to the final collapse of the Salazarist dictatorship". Public holidays in Angola are currently determined by the 2018 Lei de Alteração à Lei dos Feriados Nacionais, Locais e Datas de Celebração Nacional, which amended the then current public holidays legislation of Angola by adding some bridge holiday provisions for fixed-date Angolan public holidays falling on a Tuesday or Thursday, as well as, in a last-minute amendment to the amendments, a new annual public holiday on March 23.    
  • Bolivia
  • Bolivia
  • Bolivia Clarifies March 23 Census Public Holiday Status
    Source: Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social (La Paz). The General Director for Labor of Bolivia's Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social, Yesid Mollinedo, has clarified for the media, the status of the March 23 public holiday announced last week by Bolivia's Minister of Labour, Verónica Navia. Recall that Minister Navia's announcement only referred to a national cessation of work, and not to a public holiday as such ("el 23 de marzo de este año, día en el que se realizará el Censo,en el país habrá suspensión de actividades laborales"). In today's communique, Director Mollinedo clarified that "although the day is not equivalent to a holiday, it can be equated to an election date with suspension of activities and restrictions on movement, so it is not appropriate to compensate for hours not worked". The date of the preceding census, Wednesday, November 21, 2012, was less ambiguously declared as a one-off non-working public holiday to be observed on in all sectors of the Bolivian economy, thought the net effect, will be the same in 2024 as it was in 2012.    
  • Bolivia Clarifies March 23 Census Public Holiday Status
    Source: Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social (La Paz). The General Director for Labor of Bolivia's Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social, Yesid Mollinedo, has clarified for the media, the status of the March 23 public holiday announced last week by Bolivia's Minister of Labour, Verónica Navia. Recall that Minister Navia's announcement only referred to a national cessation of work, and not to a public holiday as such ("el 23 de marzo de este año, día en el que se realizará el Censo,en el país habrá suspensión de actividades laborales"). In today's communique, Director Mollinedo clarified that "although the day is not equivalent to a holiday, it can be equated to an election date with suspension of activities and restrictions on movement, so it is not appropriate to compensate for hours not worked". The date of the preceding census, Wednesday, November 21, 2012, was less ambiguously declared as a one-off non-working public holiday to be observed on in all sectors of the Bolivian economy, thought the net effect, will be the same in 2024 as it was in 2012.    
  • Chhattisgarh (CG)
  • Chhattisgarh (CG)
  • Chhattisgarh Declares April 17 Ramnavmi Public Holiday
    Source: Government of Chhattisgarh (Raipur). The General Administration Department of the Government of India's state of Chhattisgarh has declared Wednesday, April 17, 2024, as a state public holiday on the occasion of Ramnavmi. As per the announcement, on April 17, all government offices, schools, colleges and banks of the state will remain closed. A holiday has also been declared for April 9, on account of Chetrichand Mahotsav, but that date is to be observed as an optional holiday. The aforementioned announcements are in line with the Government Order notification No. F-1-1/2023/1/5 containing published in early December 2023 and containing the list of public holidays in the state of Chhattisgarh for the calendar year 2024.    
  • Chhattisgarh Declares April 17 Ramnavmi Public Holiday
    Source: Government of Chhattisgarh (Raipur). The General Administration Department of the Government of India's state of Chhattisgarh has declared Wednesday, April 17, 2024, as a state public holiday on the occasion of Ramnavmi. As per the announcement, on April 17, all government offices, schools, colleges and banks of the state will remain closed. A holiday has also been declared for April 9, on account of Chetrichand Mahotsav, but that date is to be observed as an optional holiday. The aforementioned announcements are in line with the Government Order notification No. F-1-1/2023/1/5 containing published in early December 2023 and containing the list of public holidays in the state of Chhattisgarh for the calendar year 2024.    
  • Croatia
  • Croatia
  • Croatian Electoral Public Holiday April 17
    Source: Government of the Republic of Croatia (Zagreb). The Croatian President, Zoran Milanović, has announced that the upcoming Croatian parliamentary elections would be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Parliamentary elections in Croatia are usually held on a Sunday (as will the upcoming European elections, on June 9) and President Milanović indicated that Wednesday, April 17, 2024, would be declared a public holiday in Croatia ("Election Day on Wednesday will become a holiday of freedom and democracy ... 24 years ago we also had elections that did not fall on a Sunday"), as per the Law on the Election of Representatives to the Croatian Parliament, Article 5, Paragraph 3, which specifies that the day of the election is a non-working day. Recall that, after the 2000 elections, Monday, February 7, 2000, was declared a one-off public holiday throughout Croatia, following the election of a new government and of Zlatko Tomcic as new Assembly speaker and acting president.    
  • Croatian Electoral Public Holiday April 17
    Source: Government of the Republic of Croatia (Zagreb). The Croatian President, Zoran Milanović, has announced that the upcoming Croatian parliamentary elections would be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Parliamentary elections in Croatia are usually held on a Sunday (as will the upcoming European elections, on June 9) and President Milanović indicated that Wednesday, April 17, 2024, would be declared a public holiday in Croatia ("Election Day on Wednesday will become a holiday of freedom and democracy ... 24 years ago we also had elections that did not fall on a Sunday"), as per the Law on the Election of Representatives to the Croatian Parliament, Article 5, Paragraph 3, which specifies that the day of the election is a non-working day. Recall that, after the 2000 elections, Monday, February 7, 2000, was declared a one-off public holiday throughout Croatia, following the election of a new government and of Zlatko Tomcic as new Assembly speaker and acting president.    
  • Cyprus
  • Cyprus
  • Cyprus Headed For 3 Consecutive Long Weekends
    Source: Central Bank of Cyprus (Nicosia). Cyprus' Deputy Tourism Minister, Kostas Koumis, is expecting a bumper crop of tourists as the 2024 calendar of public holidays in Cyprus will cause the next 3 weekends to last for 3 days each as each of the following 3 Mondays will be a public holiday in Cyprus; Maundy Monday (March 18), Greek Independence Day (March 25), and Greek Cypriot Day (April 1st). The list of 2024 bank holidays and public holidays in Cyprus was announced by the Central Bank of Cyprus in early January.    
  • Cyprus Headed For 3 Consecutive Long Weekends
    Source: Central Bank of Cyprus (Nicosia). Cyprus' Deputy Tourism Minister, Kostas Koumis, is expecting a bumper crop of tourists as the 2024 calendar of public holidays in Cyprus will cause the next 3 weekends to last for 3 days each as each of the following 3 Mondays will be a public holiday in Cyprus; Maundy Monday (March 18), Greek Independence Day (March 25), and Greek Cypriot Day (April 1st). The list of 2024 bank holidays and public holidays in Cyprus was announced by the Central Bank of Cyprus in early January.    
  • India
  • India
  • Indian Central Government Declares April 14 Public Holiday
    Source: The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (New Delhi). India's Central Government's has issued the DoPT Order F. No.12/4/2020-JCA declaring Sunday, April 14, 2024, as a public holiday ("In recognition of the significant contributions and legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a visionary leader and architect of the Indian Constitution, it has been decided to declare Sunday, the 14th of April 2024, a national holiday. This holiday will be observed by all Central Government Offices, as well as Industrial Establishments across the vast expanse of India, to honor and celebrate the birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar."). Today's order, signed by the Deputy Secretary to Govt. of India, Parveen Jargar, further amends the Department of Personnel and Training’s Office Memorandum No. F.No.12 /2 /2023-JCA ("Holidays to be observed in Central Government Offices during the year 2024"), published last July by India's Central Government's Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, and in which the birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was not listed as a public holiday.    
  • Indian Central Government Declares April 14 Public Holiday
    Source: The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (New Delhi). India's Central Government's has issued the DoPT Order F. No.12/4/2020-JCA declaring Sunday, April 14, 2024, as a public holiday ("In recognition of the significant contributions and legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a visionary leader and architect of the Indian Constitution, it has been decided to declare Sunday, the 14th of April 2024, a national holiday. This holiday will be observed by all Central Government Offices, as well as Industrial Establishments across the vast expanse of India, to honor and celebrate the birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar."). Today's order, signed by the Deputy Secretary to Govt. of India, Parveen Jargar, further amends the Department of Personnel and Training’s Office Memorandum No. F.No.12 /2 /2023-JCA ("Holidays to be observed in Central Government Offices during the year 2024"), published last July by India's Central Government's Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, and in which the birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was not listed as a public holiday.    
  • Monaco
  • Monaco
  • Monaco Public Holiday April 1st
    Source: Bulletin Officiel de la Principauté (Monaco). Monaco's State Ministry has gazetted the Circulaire n° 2024 1 du 6 mars 2024 relative au Lundi 1er avril 2024 (Lundi de Pâques), jour férié légal, in today's Journal Officiel Numéro 8686, confirming that Monday, April 1, 2024, would be a public holiday in Monaco for all employees ("Aux termes de la loi n° 798 et de la loi n° 800, du 18 février 1966, modifiée, le Lundi 1er avril 2024 est un jour férié, chômé et payé pour l'ensemble des salariés quel que soit leur mode de rémunération"). The aforementioned circulaire supplements the previously-announced annual list of official non-working public holidays in Monaco and Monaco bank holidays for the calendar year 2024, as released last autumn.    
  • Monaco Public Holiday April 1st
    Source: Bulletin Officiel de la Principauté (Monaco). Monaco's State Ministry has gazetted the Circulaire n° 2024 1 du 6 mars 2024 relative au Lundi 1er avril 2024 (Lundi de Pâques), jour férié légal, in today's Journal Officiel Numéro 8686, confirming that Monday, April 1, 2024, would be a public holiday in Monaco for all employees ("Aux termes de la loi n° 798 et de la loi n° 800, du 18 février 1966, modifiée, le Lundi 1er avril 2024 est un jour férié, chômé et payé pour l'ensemble des salariés quel que soit leur mode de rémunération"). The aforementioned circulaire supplements the previously-announced annual list of official non-working public holidays in Monaco and Monaco bank holidays for the calendar year 2024, as released last autumn.    
  • Nigeria
  • Nigeria
  • Niger State Declares March 18-22 Public Holidays
    Source: Ondo State Government (Akure). The Government of Nigeria's state of Niger has declared Monday to Friday, March 18-22, 2024, as public holidays for the monitoring and distribution of palliatives and Ramadan feeding and "to enable Civil Servants and Political office holders to participate in the distribution and monitoring of the palliatives and Ramadan feeding in their various local government areas". The aforementioned declaration by Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information, Binta Mamman.    
  • Niger State Declares March 18-22 Public Holidays
    Source: Ondo State Government (Akure). The Government of Nigeria's state of Niger has declared Monday to Friday, March 18-22, 2024, as public holidays for the monitoring and distribution of palliatives and Ramadan feeding and "to enable Civil Servants and Political office holders to participate in the distribution and monitoring of the palliatives and Ramadan feeding in their various local government areas". The aforementioned declaration by Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information, Binta Mamman.    
  • Taiwan
  • Taiwan
  • Taiwan May 1st National Public Holiday Gaining Momentum
    Source: Taiwan Central Personnel Administration (Taipei). The All-China Federation of Teachers Unions and legislators from both the ruling and opposition parties have held a joint press conference, calling for the annual Labor Day public holiday to be observed nationally by all sectors of the economy to put an end to the one family, two systems being observed annually on May 1st (currently, Taiwan's public sector does not observe the May Day public holiday). Today's press conference follows last week's announcement by Taiwan's Premier, Chen Chien-jen, that she was open to making Labor Day a public holiday that is uniformly observed nationwide, but that some compensatory adjustment would be needed. At the same session, Taiwan's Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang remarked that currently, the total number of national holidays in Taiwan is fixed and regulated by legislative resolution.    
  • Taiwan May 1st National Public Holiday Gaining Momentum
    Source: Taiwan Central Personnel Administration (Taipei). The All-China Federation of Teachers Unions and legislators from both the ruling and opposition parties have held a joint press conference, calling for the annual Labor Day public holiday to be observed nationally by all sectors of the economy to put an end to the one family, two systems being observed annually on May 1st (currently, Taiwan's public sector does not observe the May Day public holiday). Today's press conference follows last week's announcement by Taiwan's Premier, Chen Chien-jen, that she was open to making Labor Day a public holiday that is uniformly observed nationwide, but that some compensatory adjustment would be needed. At the same session, Taiwan's Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang remarked that currently, the total number of national holidays in Taiwan is fixed and regulated by legislative resolution.    

March 14, 2024

  • Albania
  • Albania
  • Albania Bank Holiday March 15
    Source: Bank of Albania (Tirana). The Bank of Albania has announced that, following yesterday's decision by the Albanian Council of Ministers, Friday, March 15, 2024, would be a one-off bridge bank holiday in Albania ("Based on the Decision of the Council of Ministers on the designation of Friday, 15.3.2024, as a holiday").    
  • Albania Bank Holiday March 15
    Source: Bank of Albania (Tirana). The Bank of Albania has announced that, following yesterday's decision by the Albanian Council of Ministers, Friday, March 15, 2024, would be a one-off bridge bank holiday in Albania ("Based on the Decision of the Council of Ministers on the designation of Friday, 15.3.2024, as a holiday").    
  • Bern (BE)
  • Bern (BE)
  • Bern Canton Legislators Votes Down March 8 Public Holiday
    Source: Décisions du Conseil fédéral (Berne). The Grand Conseil Bernois (the legislature of Switzerland's Canton of Bern) has voted down by 101 to 44 a Socialist motion to declare a public holiday in the Canton of Bern on March 8 for all women employed in the cantonal administration and in the teaching profession, "for as long as the pay gap between women and men is not closed". Recall that, in early January, the Executive of the Bernese Canton had similarly turned-down a proposal by the Socialist Party to declare March 8 as a new annual non-working public holiday in Switzerland's Canton of Bern for women only. A 2015 proposal by Bern region Green MP, Aline Trede, to declare March 16 as an annual non-working federal public holiday in Switzerland, to commemorate the 1971 date when Swiss women obtained the right to vote, was similarly turned-down by the Conseil fédéral (the Executive Federal Council of Switzerland).    
  • Bern Canton Legislators Votes Down March 8 Public Holiday
    Source: Décisions du Conseil fédéral (Berne). The Grand Conseil Bernois (the legislature of Switzerland's Canton of Bern) has voted down by 101 to 44 a Socialist motion to declare a public holiday in the Canton of Bern on March 8 for all women employed in the cantonal administration and in the teaching profession, "for as long as the pay gap between women and men is not closed". Recall that, in early January, the Executive of the Bernese Canton had similarly turned-down a proposal by the Socialist Party to declare March 8 as a new annual non-working public holiday in Switzerland's Canton of Bern for women only. A 2015 proposal by Bern region Green MP, Aline Trede, to declare March 16 as an annual non-working federal public holiday in Switzerland, to commemorate the 1971 date when Swiss women obtained the right to vote, was similarly turned-down by the Conseil fédéral (the Executive Federal Council of Switzerland).    
  • French Polynesia
  • French Polynesia
  • French Polynesia Considers Swapping June 29 Public Holiday
    Source: Présidence de la Polynésie Française (Papeete). French Polynesia's vice-présidente et ministre en charge de la Culture, Éliane Tevahitua, is once again proposing that the territorial assembly swap the June 29 public holiday for a new one, as "le 29 juin ne fait pas l’unanimité parmi les Polynésiens". In 2005, a Temaru government project to replace the June 29 Autonomy Day public holiday with a new annual public holiday on November 20, to be called National Day of Tahiti was rejected by the CESC (Conseil Economique, Social Et Culturel De La Polynésie Française). This time the proposed replacement public holiday would be Matariki (Maori New Year) which became a public holiday in New Zealand in 2022. Coincidentally, Rangiānehu Mātāmua, will be visiting French Polynesia from March 16-22. Rangiānehu Mātāmua is one of the members of the Matariki Advisory Group, comprising experts in mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), that was tasked with the determination of the dates of the Matariki public holiday in New Zealand for the next 30 years.    
  • French Polynesia Considers Swapping June 29 Public Holiday
    Source: Présidence de la Polynésie Française (Papeete). French Polynesia's vice-présidente et ministre en charge de la Culture, Éliane Tevahitua, is once again proposing that the territorial assembly swap the June 29 public holiday for a new one, as "le 29 juin ne fait pas l’unanimité parmi les Polynésiens". In 2005, a Temaru government project to replace the June 29 Autonomy Day public holiday with a new annual public holiday on November 20, to be called National Day of Tahiti was rejected by the CESC (Conseil Economique, Social Et Culturel De La Polynésie Française). This time the proposed replacement public holiday would be Matariki (Maori New Year) which became a public holiday in New Zealand in 2022. Coincidentally, Rangiānehu Mātāmua, will be visiting French Polynesia from March 16-22. Rangiānehu Mātāmua is one of the members of the Matariki Advisory Group, comprising experts in mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), that was tasked with the determination of the dates of the Matariki public holiday in New Zealand for the next 30 years.    
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Kyrgyzstan MP Proposes Father's Day Public Holiday
    Source: Kabar Kyrgyz National News Agency (Bishkek). A Deputy of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan, Mederbek Aliyev, has submitted a draft resolution to establish Father's Day, on March 15, as a new annual public holiday in Kyrgyzstan ("Undoubtedly, one of the fundamental values of the Kyrgyz people is honoring the elders and respect for the younger ones. Our people have always cherished their age-old traditions, honoring and respecting wise, farsighted elders. In the heart of every Kyrgyz lives a sense of gratitude to our caring fathers."). Such proposals from MPs are relatively common but usually never get approved. Recall that, in 2022, the MP Dastan Bekeshev had called for the declaration of International Children's Dayon June 1st as a new annual public holiday in Kyrgyzstan, arguing that "Kyrgyzstan has many political holidays, but few family holidays". The most-recently added annual public holiday in Kyrgyzstan was the April 7 "Day of the People's April Revolution", marking the day a popular revolution ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiev in 2010. The decree for the April 7 public holiday was signed in early April 2016 by President Almazbek Atambaev and was approved on April 6 by the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan following an expedited session encompassing all three necessary readings of the bill.    
  • Kyrgyzstan MP Proposes Father's Day Public Holiday
    Source: Kabar Kyrgyz National News Agency (Bishkek). A Deputy of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan, Mederbek Aliyev, has submitted a draft resolution to establish Father's Day, on March 15, as a new annual public holiday in Kyrgyzstan ("Undoubtedly, one of the fundamental values of the Kyrgyz people is honoring the elders and respect for the younger ones. Our people have always cherished their age-old traditions, honoring and respecting wise, farsighted elders. In the heart of every Kyrgyz lives a sense of gratitude to our caring fathers."). Such proposals from MPs are relatively common but usually never get approved. Recall that, in 2022, the MP Dastan Bekeshev had called for the declaration of International Children's Dayon June 1st as a new annual public holiday in Kyrgyzstan, arguing that "Kyrgyzstan has many political holidays, but few family holidays". The most-recently added annual public holiday in Kyrgyzstan was the April 7 "Day of the People's April Revolution", marking the day a popular revolution ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiev in 2010. The decree for the April 7 public holiday was signed in early April 2016 by President Almazbek Atambaev and was approved on April 6 by the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan following an expedited session encompassing all three necessary readings of the bill.    
  • New Zealand
  • New Zealand
  • New Zealand Ruling Coalition Mum On January 2 Public Holiday Cancellation
    Source: New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (Wellington). New Zealand's Workplace Relations and Safety Minister, Brooke van Velden, has reiterated that the current ruling coalition of the ACT (Association of Consumers and Taxpayers), National, and New Zealand First, parties wanted to make changes to the Holiday Act. Prior to the last election that saw it come to power as part of the Sixth National government coalition, the ACT had pledged to cancel the annual January 2 public holiday to compensate the addition of the Matariki public holiday in 2022. However, the current Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, when campaigning in 2022 promised that his National party "wouldn’t unwind a public holiday if elected" and indeed, the removal of one of New Zealand's annual public holidays did not make it into the 3 parties' coalition agreement.    
  • New Zealand Ruling Coalition Mum On January 2 Public Holiday Cancellation
    Source: New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (Wellington). New Zealand's Workplace Relations and Safety Minister, Brooke van Velden, has reiterated that the current ruling coalition of the ACT (Association of Consumers and Taxpayers), National, and New Zealand First, parties wanted to make changes to the Holiday Act. Prior to the last election that saw it come to power as part of the Sixth National government coalition, the ACT had pledged to cancel the annual January 2 public holiday to compensate the addition of the Matariki public holiday in 2022. However, the current Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, when campaigning in 2022 promised that his National party "wouldn’t unwind a public holiday if elected" and indeed, the removal of one of New Zealand's annual public holidays did not make it into the 3 parties' coalition agreement.    
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Saudi 2024 Eid Al-Fitr Bank Holidays Announced
    Source: Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has announced that the upcoming bank holidays in Saudi Arabia for the Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) would run from Friday, April 5 until Saturday, April 13, 2024, inclusively (recall that Saudi Arabia's legislative and consultative Shoura Council approved a change to weekends from Thursday/Friday to Friday/Saturday in 2013). These dates for the Eid al-Fitr bank holidays are markedly longer than the new ones decreed for the public sector in January by the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which decreed that in the future the government public holidays for Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha would each last a minimum of 4 days and a maximum of 5 days.    
  • Saudi 2024 Eid Al-Fitr Bank Holidays Announced
    Source: Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has announced that the upcoming bank holidays in Saudi Arabia for the Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) would run from Friday, April 5 until Saturday, April 13, 2024, inclusively (recall that Saudi Arabia's legislative and consultative Shoura Council approved a change to weekends from Thursday/Friday to Friday/Saturday in 2013). These dates for the Eid al-Fitr bank holidays are markedly longer than the new ones decreed for the public sector in January by the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which decreed that in the future the government public holidays for Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha would each last a minimum of 4 days and a maximum of 5 days.    
  • Venezuela
  • Venezuela
  • Venezuela Bank Holiday March 19
    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 Tuesday, March 19, 2024, would be a bank holiday in Venezuela, on account of the upcoming Saint Joseph's Day, 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".    
  • Venezuela Bank Holiday March 19
    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 Tuesday, March 19, 2024, would be a bank holiday in Venezuela, on account of the upcoming Saint Joseph's Day, 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".    

March 13, 2024

  • Albania
  • Albania
  • Albania Declares March 15 Bridge Public Holiday
    Source: Albanian Government Council of Ministers (Tirana). The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, has announced that the Council of Ministers had declared Friday, March 15, 2024, as a public holiday to bridge the gap between the annual March 14 Summer Day public sector holiday and the upcoming weekend ("In support of articles 95, point 2, and 100, of the Constitution, with the proposal of the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers decided: 1. Appointment of Friday, 15.3.2024, as a day off for employees of the state administration. 2. The working day, dated 15.3.2024, will be replaced by one of the rest days within the first six months of this year."). As per Prime Minister Rama's post on X, formerly Twitter, "With this decision of the Council of Ministers, we give the opportunity to all state employees who are not part of critical functions, to take one more day off between the beautiful Summer Day and the weekend that they have off anyway! Happy Summer Day.".    
  • Albania Declares March 15 Bridge Public Holiday
    Source: Albanian Government Council of Ministers (Tirana). The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, has announced that the Council of Ministers had declared Friday, March 15, 2024, as a public holiday to bridge the gap between the annual March 14 Summer Day public sector holiday and the upcoming weekend ("In support of articles 95, point 2, and 100, of the Constitution, with the proposal of the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers decided: 1. Appointment of Friday, 15.3.2024, as a day off for employees of the state administration. 2. The working day, dated 15.3.2024, will be replaced by one of the rest days within the first six months of this year."). As per Prime Minister Rama's post on X, formerly Twitter, "With this decision of the Council of Ministers, we give the opportunity to all state employees who are not part of critical functions, to take one more day off between the beautiful Summer Day and the weekend that they have off anyway! Happy Summer Day.".    
  • Honduras
  • Honduras
  • Honduras Extends Easter 2024 Public Sector Public Holidays
    Source: El Heraldo (Tegucigalpa). The Ministry of the Interior, Justice and Decentralization of Honduras has announced that all public sector officials and employees will enjoy additional public holidays from Monday to Wednesday, March 25 to 27, 2024, on account of the upcoming semana santa (Easter week).    
  • Honduras Extends Easter 2024 Public Sector Public Holidays
    Source: El Heraldo (Tegucigalpa). The Ministry of the Interior, Justice and Decentralization of Honduras has announced that all public sector officials and employees will enjoy additional public holidays from Monday to Wednesday, March 25 to 27, 2024, on account of the upcoming semana santa (Easter week).    
  • Hungary
  • Hungary
  • Hungary 2025 Public Holidays Draft Published
    Source: Kormányzat Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium (Budapest). Hungary's Ministry of National Economy (Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium) has issued a ministerial decree containing a draft proposal for the official public holidays of Hungary in 2025, as well as the usual Monday and Friday one-off bridge public holidays that are compensated by declaring a compensatory Saturday as a regular working day (A 2025. évi munkaszüneti napok körüli munkarendről szóló miniszteri rendelet). The aforementioned draft, signed by the Hungarian Minister of National Economy, Nagy Márton, will be open for public comments until March 20, 2024 ("A társadalmi egyeztetés során a véleményeket 2024. március 20-ig várjuk."). Based on past years, we can then expect the official gazetted list of 2025 public holidays to be published by the Government of Hungary sometime from mid-summer to mid-autumn (2024 public holidays were gazetted in July 2023, but 2023 public holidays were gazetted in October 2022).    
  • Hungary 2025 Public Holidays Draft Published
    Source: Kormányzat Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium (Budapest). Hungary's Ministry of National Economy (Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium) has issued a ministerial decree containing a draft proposal for the official public holidays of Hungary in 2025, as well as the usual Monday and Friday one-off bridge public holidays that are compensated by declaring a compensatory Saturday as a regular working day (A 2025. évi munkaszüneti napok körüli munkarendről szóló miniszteri rendelet). The aforementioned draft, signed by the Hungarian Minister of National Economy, Nagy Márton, will be open for public comments until March 20, 2024 ("A társadalmi egyeztetés során a véleményeket 2024. március 20-ig várjuk."). Based on past years, we can then expect the official gazetted list of 2025 public holidays to be published by the Government of Hungary sometime from mid-summer to mid-autumn (2024 public holidays were gazetted in July 2023, but 2023 public holidays were gazetted in October 2022).    
  • Panama
  • Panama
  • Panama Extends Easter 2024 Public Holidays
    Source: Presidencia de la República de Panamá (Panama City). The Government of Panama has published the Executive Decree number 6 which declares as public sector holiday and orders the closure of national and municipal public offices throughout the national territory starting on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 12 noon, on the occasion of the upcoming Holy Week ("The annual commemoration of Holy Week constitutes one of the most important celebrations of Christianity, which is practiced by the majority of the Panamanian population."). Note that the afternoon of Maundy Thursday is already an annual bank holiday for the Panamanian financial sector and that the aforementioned decree excludes the Panama Canal Authority in accordance with the provisions of article 93 of Law 19 of June 11, 1997.    
  • Panama Extends Easter 2024 Public Holidays
    Source: Presidencia de la República de Panamá (Panama City). The Government of Panama has published the Executive Decree number 6 which declares as public sector holiday and orders the closure of national and municipal public offices throughout the national territory starting on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 12 noon, on the occasion of the upcoming Holy Week ("The annual commemoration of Holy Week constitutes one of the most important celebrations of Christianity, which is practiced by the majority of the Panamanian population."). Note that the afternoon of Maundy Thursday is already an annual bank holiday for the Panamanian financial sector and that the aforementioned decree excludes the Panama Canal Authority in accordance with the provisions of article 93 of Law 19 of June 11, 1997.    
  • Samoa
  • Samoa
  • Samoan 2024-2027 Public Holidays Amended
    Source: Samoan Ministry Of Commerce, Industry And Labour (Matagaluega o Pisinisi, Alamanuia, Leipa). The Samoan Ministry of Commerce, Industry And Labour has published a revised version of the public holidays dates in Samoa for the calendar years 2024-2027, that it had initially published last August.    
  • Samoan 2024-2027 Public Holidays Amended
    Source: Samoan Ministry Of Commerce, Industry And Labour (Matagaluega o Pisinisi, Alamanuia, Leipa). The Samoan Ministry of Commerce, Industry And Labour has published a revised version of the public holidays dates in Samoa for the calendar years 2024-2027, that it had initially published last August.    

* to illustrate the qppstudio.net ability to forecast all the public holidays of all the countries of the world for any year in the future, see our pages of 2028 public holidays in Australia, Austria, Bhutan, Canada, Germany, India, Nepal, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA.