worldwide public holidays news and updates of the past seven days
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Madagascar Publishes April 23 Public Holiday Decree Filankevitry ny Governemanta (Mahazoarivo) Madagascar's Minister of the Public Service, Hanitra Fitiavana Razakaboana, has published the expected decree declaring Wednesday, April 23, 2025, as a one-off public holiday to coincide with the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Madagascar. As per the aforementioned communique, "Vu le Décret n* 2025-415 du 15 Avril 2025, le Mercredi 23 Avril 2025 est une journée chômée et payée partout sur le territoire de la République de Madagascar." ("Araka ny Didim-panjakana taharana 2025-415 tamin’ny 15 Aprily 2025, ny Alarobia 23 Aprily 2025 dia andro tsy hiasana nefa andraisan-karama, manerana nytanin’ny Repoblikan’i Madagasikara"). Recall that, earlier this week, Minister Hanitra Fitiavana Razakaboana had announced that the government of Madagascar, and workers' unions, represented by Jean Raphaël Mananandro, had agreed to declare Wednesday, April 23, 2025, as a one-off public holiday (jour férié, chômé et payé) to coincide with the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Madagascar. As per the aforementioned announcement, the April 23 public holiday would be declared in accordance with Article 25 of Decree 62-150 of March 28, 1962, which governs the implementation of weekly rest and paid public holidays, but companies would have to arrange for the recovery of the eight hours of work paid at the normal rate, without increase, between April 24 and May 10, 2025, inclusively. In 2019, the Décret n° 2019-1617 du 21 août 2019 portant additif du décret 2019-191 du 22 février 2019 fixant la liste des jours fériés, chômés et payés au titre de l'année 2019, similarly declared a half-day public holiday in Madagascar for Pope Francis' visit to Madagascar.
Madagascar Publishes April 23 Public Holiday Decree Filankevitry ny Governemanta (Mahazoarivo) Madagascar's Minister of the Public Service, Hanitra Fitiavana Razakaboana, has published the expected decree declaring Wednesday, April 23, 2025, as a one-off public holiday to coincide with the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Madagascar. As per the aforementioned communique, "Vu le Décret n* 2025-415 du 15 Avril 2025, le Mercredi 23 Avril 2025 est une journée chômée et payée partout sur le territoire de la République de Madagascar." ("Araka ny Didim-panjakana taharana 2025-415 tamin’ny 15 Aprily 2025, ny Alarobia 23 Aprily 2025 dia andro tsy hiasana nefa andraisan-karama, manerana nytanin’ny Repoblikan’i Madagasikara"). Recall that, earlier this week, Minister Hanitra Fitiavana Razakaboana had announced that the government of Madagascar, and workers' unions, represented by Jean Raphaël Mananandro, had agreed to declare Wednesday, April 23, 2025, as a one-off public holiday (jour férié, chômé et payé) to coincide with the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Madagascar. As per the aforementioned announcement, the April 23 public holiday would be declared in accordance with Article 25 of Decree 62-150 of March 28, 1962, which governs the implementation of weekly rest and paid public holidays, but companies would have to arrange for the recovery of the eight hours of work paid at the normal rate, without increase, between April 24 and May 10, 2025, inclusively. In 2019, the Décret n° 2019-1617 du 21 août 2019 portant additif du décret 2019-191 du 22 février 2019 fixant la liste des jours fériés, chômés et payés au titre de l'année 2019, similarly declared a half-day public holiday in Madagascar for Pope Francis' visit to Madagascar.
Alberta 2027 Public Holidays Announced The Government of the Province of Alberta (Victoria) The Government of Canada's Province of Alberta has released its list of statutory public holidays for the calendar year 2027 (days when employees are entitled to general holiday pay if they have worked for the same employer for at least 30 workdays in the 12 months prior to the holiday). In addition to the aforementioned list of statutory public holidays for the calendar year 2027, Alberta also observes four optional general holidays: Easter Monday, Heritage Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Boxing Day. Optional general holidays are decided at the discretion of employers.
Alberta 2027 Public Holidays Announced The Government of the Province of Alberta (Victoria) The Government of Canada's Province of Alberta has released its list of statutory public holidays for the calendar year 2027 (days when employees are entitled to general holiday pay if they have worked for the same employer for at least 30 workdays in the 12 months prior to the holiday). In addition to the aforementioned list of statutory public holidays for the calendar year 2027, Alberta also observes four optional general holidays: Easter Monday, Heritage Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Boxing Day. Optional general holidays are decided at the discretion of employers.
Benin Declares April 21st Public Holiday Site officiel du gouvernement du Bénin (Cotonou) Bénin's Minister of Labour and Social Security, Adidjatou A. Mathys, has issued the communique No.009 /MTFP/DC/SGM /DGT/DRPDS/SRI/SA announcing that the government of Bénin had declared Monday, April 21, 2025, as a paid public holiday throughout the Bénin on account of Easter Monday. As per the aforementioned communique, signed by her Cabinet Director, Victorin Honvoh, "Le Ministre du Travail et de la Fonction Publique communique; dans le cadre de la célébration de la fête de Pâques, et conformément aux dispositions de la loi n° 90-019 du 27 juillet 1990 fixant les fêtes légales en République du Bénin, la journée du lundi 21 avril 2025, lundi de Pâques, est fériée, chômée et payée sur toute l’étendue du territoire national.".
Benin Declares April 21st Public Holiday Site officiel du gouvernement du Bénin (Cotonou) Bénin's Minister of Labour and Social Security, Adidjatou A. Mathys, has issued the communique No.009 /MTFP/DC/SGM /DGT/DRPDS/SRI/SA announcing that the government of Bénin had declared Monday, April 21, 2025, as a paid public holiday throughout the Bénin on account of Easter Monday. As per the aforementioned communique, signed by her Cabinet Director, Victorin Honvoh, "Le Ministre du Travail et de la Fonction Publique communique; dans le cadre de la célébration de la fête de Pâques, et conformément aux dispositions de la loi n° 90-019 du 27 juillet 1990 fixant les fêtes légales en République du Bénin, la journée du lundi 21 avril 2025, lundi de Pâques, est fériée, chômée et payée sur toute l’étendue du territoire national.".
Chandigarh Calrifies Status Of April 18 And May 12 Public Holidays Government of Chandigarh (Chandigarh) The Government of India's Union Territory of Chandigarh has issued a clarification, following last month's vide notification No. 6/1/1-IH(I)-2025/3924, which had amended the list of 2025 public holidays as published in the December 2024 vide Notification No.6/1/1-IH(I)-2024/18285. As per today's Government communique, "Following queries by residents, the UT Administration has again clarified that Good Friday (April 18) and Buddha Purnima (May 12) will be public holidays as per the earlier notification in all government offices, boards, corporations, institutions and industrial establishments under the Chandigarh Administration", all the while adding that both these public holidays will not be within the meaning of Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, meaning that banks and financial institutions may remain open on those 2 dates. Recall that the March 24, 2025, vide notification had stated that "In partial modification of this Administration's Notification No. 6/1/1-IH(I)-2024/18285-92, dated 27.12.2024 regarding declaring of Public Holiday in the Union Territory of Chandigarh during the calendar year 2025, [...] the Public Holidays previously declared for Good Friday (18th April 2025) and Budha Purnima (12th May 2025) for the calendar year 2025, under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881, as specified in SCHEDULE III of Notification No. 6/1/1-IH(I)-2024/18285-92 dated 27th December 2024, issued by the Home Department, Chandigarh Administration, are hereby cancelled", leading to widespread confusion.
Chandigarh Calrifies Status Of April 18 And May 12 Public Holidays Government of Chandigarh (Chandigarh) The Government of India's Union Territory of Chandigarh has issued a clarification, following last month's vide notification No. 6/1/1-IH(I)-2025/3924, which had amended the list of 2025 public holidays as published in the December 2024 vide Notification No.6/1/1-IH(I)-2024/18285. As per today's Government communique, "Following queries by residents, the UT Administration has again clarified that Good Friday (April 18) and Buddha Purnima (May 12) will be public holidays as per the earlier notification in all government offices, boards, corporations, institutions and industrial establishments under the Chandigarh Administration", all the while adding that both these public holidays will not be within the meaning of Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, meaning that banks and financial institutions may remain open on those 2 dates. Recall that the March 24, 2025, vide notification had stated that "In partial modification of this Administration's Notification No. 6/1/1-IH(I)-2024/18285-92, dated 27.12.2024 regarding declaring of Public Holiday in the Union Territory of Chandigarh during the calendar year 2025, [...] the Public Holidays previously declared for Good Friday (18th April 2025) and Budha Purnima (12th May 2025) for the calendar year 2025, under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881, as specified in SCHEDULE III of Notification No. 6/1/1-IH(I)-2024/18285-92 dated 27th December 2024, issued by the Home Department, Chandigarh Administration, are hereby cancelled", leading to widespread confusion.
Syria Declares April 17 and 20 Public Holidays Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) The General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic of Syria has issued a notice declaring Thursday, April 17, and Sunday, April 20, 2025, as public holidays in public institutions on account of Independence day and Easter. Recall that Easter Sunday was added to the list of Syria's annual public holidays 20 years ago.
Syria Declares April 17 and 20 Public Holidays Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) The General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic of Syria has issued a notice declaring Thursday, April 17, and Sunday, April 20, 2025, as public holidays in public institutions on account of Independence day and Easter. Recall that Easter Sunday was added to the list of Syria's annual public holidays 20 years ago.
Ukraine Extends Public Holidays Cancellation Until August 2025 Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Kiev) The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has passed a law approving the presidential decree No. 13172 (On the extension of martial law in Ukraine) to extend martial law in Ukraine for another 90 days from May 9, 2025, until August 6, 2025, as per the Law № 2136-IX of March 15, 2022 On the Organization of Labor Relations under Martial Law. As per Law № 2136-IX, during martial law, weekday public holidays in Ukraine are de facto canceled (made into working days).
Ukraine Extends Public Holidays Cancellation Until August 2025 Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Kiev) The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has passed a law approving the presidential decree No. 13172 (On the extension of martial law in Ukraine) to extend martial law in Ukraine for another 90 days from May 9, 2025, until August 6, 2025, as per the Law № 2136-IX of March 15, 2022 On the Organization of Labor Relations under Martial Law. As per Law № 2136-IX, during martial law, weekday public holidays in Ukraine are de facto canceled (made into working days).
Bolivia Declares April 18 Public Holiday Agencia Boliviana de Información (La Paz) Bolivia's Ministry of Labour has issued a communiqué announcing that Friday, April 18, 2025, would be a national public holiday, for both the private and public sectors, in conjunction with the celebration of Holy Week. As per the aforementioned communique, the measure is based on the provisions of Supreme Decree No. 2750 of May 1, 2016, amended by Decree No. 5019 of September 13, 2023. The accompanying communique DGTHSO-014/2025 additionally announced that continuous working hours would apply in public administrations on Thursday, April 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In 2009, there had been tentative announcements that the implementation of the then recently approved new constitution (CPE) would probably mean that all the religious public holidays of Bolivia would be replaced by non-religious ones, over the next year or so, but that has not been the case in the subsequent 15 years.
Bolivia Declares April 18 Public Holiday Agencia Boliviana de Información (La Paz) Bolivia's Ministry of Labour has issued a communiqué announcing that Friday, April 18, 2025, would be a national public holiday, for both the private and public sectors, in conjunction with the celebration of Holy Week. As per the aforementioned communique, the measure is based on the provisions of Supreme Decree No. 2750 of May 1, 2016, amended by Decree No. 5019 of September 13, 2023. The accompanying communique DGTHSO-014/2025 additionally announced that continuous working hours would apply in public administrations on Thursday, April 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In 2009, there had been tentative announcements that the implementation of the then recently approved new constitution (CPE) would probably mean that all the religious public holidays of Bolivia would be replaced by non-religious ones, over the next year or so, but that has not been the case in the subsequent 15 years.
Egypt Declares Bank Holidays For Easter And Sham El-Nessim The Central Bank of Egypt (Cairo) The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has announced bank holidays in Egypt for Sunday and Monday, April 20 and 21, 2025, "in observance of Easter and the traditional spring festival of Sham El-Nessim". Today's announcement follows last weekend's decree by Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, declaring Monday, 21 April, 2025, as an official paid public holiday for both the public and private sectors in celebration of Sham El-Nessim (but not Coptic Easter on April 20).
Egypt Declares Bank Holidays For Easter And Sham El-Nessim The Central Bank of Egypt (Cairo) The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has announced bank holidays in Egypt for Sunday and Monday, April 20 and 21, 2025, "in observance of Easter and the traditional spring festival of Sham El-Nessim". Today's announcement follows last weekend's decree by Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, declaring Monday, 21 April, 2025, as an official paid public holiday for both the public and private sectors in celebration of Sham El-Nessim (but not Coptic Easter on April 20).
Madagascar Declares April 23 Public Holiday Filankevitry ny Governemanta (Mahazoarivo) Madagascar's Minister of the Public Service, Hanitra Fitiavana Razakaboana, has finally confirmed that, in accordance with Article 25 of Decree 62-150 of March 28, 1962, which governs the implementation of weekly rest and paid public holidays, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, would be a one-off public holiday to coincide with the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Madagascar ("la journée du 23 avril 2025 sera exceptionnellement déclarée jour chômé et payé sur toute l’étendue du territoire malgache"). As we mentioned in our post of yesterday, companies must arrange for the recovery of the eight hours of work paid at the normal rate, without increase, between April 24 and May 10, 2025, inclusively. Recall that, in 2019, the Décret n° 2019-1617 du 21 août 2019 portant additif du décret 2019-191 du 22 février 2019 fixant la liste des jours fériés, chômés et payés au titre de l'année 2019, similarly declared a half-day public holiday in Madagascar for Pope Francis' visit to Madagascar.
Madagascar Declares April 23 Public Holiday Filankevitry ny Governemanta (Mahazoarivo) Madagascar's Minister of the Public Service, Hanitra Fitiavana Razakaboana, has finally confirmed that, in accordance with Article 25 of Decree 62-150 of March 28, 1962, which governs the implementation of weekly rest and paid public holidays, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, would be a one-off public holiday to coincide with the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Madagascar ("la journée du 23 avril 2025 sera exceptionnellement déclarée jour chômé et payé sur toute l’étendue du territoire malgache"). As we mentioned in our post of yesterday, companies must arrange for the recovery of the eight hours of work paid at the normal rate, without increase, between April 24 and May 10, 2025, inclusively. Recall that, in 2019, the Décret n° 2019-1617 du 21 août 2019 portant additif du décret 2019-191 du 22 février 2019 fixant la liste des jours fériés, chômés et payés au titre de l'année 2019, similarly declared a half-day public holiday in Madagascar for Pope Francis' visit to Madagascar.
Montenegro Announces Easter 2025 Public Holidays Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue of Montenegro (Podgorica) Montenegro’s Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue has announced that "on the occasion of the upcoming religious holiday of Pascha", Orthodox and Roman Catholic employees would be entitled to paid leave to celebrate the religious holiday on April 18th and April 20th and 21st, 2025.
Montenegro Announces Easter 2025 Public Holidays Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue of Montenegro (Podgorica) Montenegro’s Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue has announced that "on the occasion of the upcoming religious holiday of Pascha", Orthodox and Roman Catholic employees would be entitled to paid leave to celebrate the religious holiday on April 18th and April 20th and 21st, 2025.
Mozambique Declares Good Friday Public Holiday Agencia de Informção de Moçambique (Maputo) Mozambique's Minister of Labor, Gender and Social Action, Ivete Alane, has announced that Friday, April 18, 2025, would be a full-day non-working public holiday in Mozambique, "to all workers in the public and private sectors and to citizens who profess the Christian religion, on April 18, 2025, on the occasion of Good Friday". The aforementioned decision was taken based on paragraph 2 of article 5 of Decree nº 7/2015, of June 3rd. Last year, the then Minister of Labor and Social Security, Margarida Adamugy Talapa, had announced that Friday, March 29, 2024, would be a full-day non-working public sector holiday in Mozambique, also on account of Good Friday.
Mozambique Declares Good Friday Public Holiday Agencia de Informção de Moçambique (Maputo) Mozambique's Minister of Labor, Gender and Social Action, Ivete Alane, has announced that Friday, April 18, 2025, would be a full-day non-working public holiday in Mozambique, "to all workers in the public and private sectors and to citizens who profess the Christian religion, on April 18, 2025, on the occasion of Good Friday". The aforementioned decision was taken based on paragraph 2 of article 5 of Decree nº 7/2015, of June 3rd. Last year, the then Minister of Labor and Social Security, Margarida Adamugy Talapa, had announced that Friday, March 29, 2024, would be a full-day non-working public sector holiday in Mozambique, also on account of Good Friday.
Nigeria Declares Easter 2025 Public Holidays Official Gazette of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Abuja) The Minister of Interior of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has issued a communique announcing that the Nigerian Government had declared Friday, April 18, and Monday, April 21st, 2025, as non-working public holidays "in observance of Good Friday and Easter Monday".
Nigeria Declares Easter 2025 Public Holidays Official Gazette of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Abuja) The Minister of Interior of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has issued a communique announcing that the Nigerian Government had declared Friday, April 18, and Monday, April 21st, 2025, as non-working public holidays "in observance of Good Friday and Easter Monday".
Singapore Declares May 3rd Public Holiday Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has officially confirmed that, "In accordance with Section 35 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Polling Day, Saturday 3 May 2025, is a public holiday". As per the aforementioned announcement, "Polling Day, as a public holiday, should be treated in the same manner as any other public holiday", adding however that the next Monday, May 5, 2025, will not be a public holiday in Singapore. In the past, Singapore general elections were often held on a Saturday, but the 2015 and 2020 general elections were held on a Friday.
Singapore Declares May 3rd Public Holiday Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has officially confirmed that, "In accordance with Section 35 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Polling Day, Saturday 3 May 2025, is a public holiday". As per the aforementioned announcement, "Polling Day, as a public holiday, should be treated in the same manner as any other public holiday", adding however that the next Monday, May 5, 2025, will not be a public holiday in Singapore. In the past, Singapore general elections were often held on a Saturday, but the 2015 and 2020 general elections were held on a Friday.
Balears 2026 Public Holidays Gazetted Dirección General de Trabajo Y Salud Laboral (Govern de les Illes Balears) Spain's autonomous region of the Balears has gazetted calendar of 2026 regional and national public holidays in Spain's autonomous region of the Balearic Islands. The aforementioned list of 2026 public holidays in the Balears was gazetted as the Acuerdo del Consejo de Gobierno de 11 de abril de 2025 por el que se aprueba el calendario de fiestas para el año 2026 en el ámbito de las Illes Balears as published in the BOIB de 15 de abril de 2025, and jointly signed by the secretaria del Consejo de Gobierno, Ântònia Maria Estarellas Torrens, and the President of the region, Margarita Prohens Rigo. Today's gazette publication follows the calendario laboral 2026 that had been announced earlier this month and which included region-specific public holidays on March 2nd and Easter Monday.
Balears 2026 Public Holidays Gazetted Dirección General de Trabajo Y Salud Laboral (Govern de les Illes Balears) Spain's autonomous region of the Balears has gazetted calendar of 2026 regional and national public holidays in Spain's autonomous region of the Balearic Islands. The aforementioned list of 2026 public holidays in the Balears was gazetted as the Acuerdo del Consejo de Gobierno de 11 de abril de 2025 por el que se aprueba el calendario de fiestas para el año 2026 en el ámbito de las Illes Balears as published in the BOIB de 15 de abril de 2025, and jointly signed by the secretaria del Consejo de Gobierno, Ântònia Maria Estarellas Torrens, and the President of the region, Margarita Prohens Rigo. Today's gazette publication follows the calendario laboral 2026 that had been announced earlier this month and which included region-specific public holidays on March 2nd and Easter Monday.
Dominica Amends 2025 Public Holidays The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica (Office of the Prime Minister) The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica has released an amended version of its previously-released official list of the Dominica bank holidays and non-working public holidays for the calendar year 2025. Recall that, last January, when the Government of Dominica released its list of 2025 bank holidays and public holidays, we mentioned that the list contained an error in the observance date of the Independence Day public holiday, which we expected to be corrected in the coming weeks, as was the case in 2015 and 2016.
Dominica Amends 2025 Public Holidays The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica (Office of the Prime Minister) The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica has released an amended version of its previously-released official list of the Dominica bank holidays and non-working public holidays for the calendar year 2025. Recall that, last January, when the Government of Dominica released its list of 2025 bank holidays and public holidays, we mentioned that the list contained an error in the observance date of the Independence Day public holiday, which we expected to be corrected in the coming weeks, as was the case in 2015 and 2016.
Dominican Republic Declares Holy Wednesday Public Sector Holiday Ministerio de Trabajo República Dominicana (Santo Domingo) The Dominican Republic's Minister of Public Administration, Sigmund Freund, has issued the circular No. 5358 announcing that public institutions will only work until 16:00 (4pm) on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, on account of Holy Wednesday. Recall that, last year, the then Minister of Public Administration, Darío Castillo Lugo, had similarly issued a circular announcing that public institutions would only work until noon on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, on account of Holy Wednesday. In both cases, these announcements did not affect the official listing of public holidays in the Dominican Republic for the year 2024 and 2025, as these lists of public holidays follow 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 Declares Holy Wednesday Public Sector Holiday Ministerio de Trabajo República Dominicana (Santo Domingo) The Dominican Republic's Minister of Public Administration, Sigmund Freund, has issued the circular No. 5358 announcing that public institutions will only work until 16:00 (4pm) on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, on account of Holy Wednesday. Recall that, last year, the then Minister of Public Administration, Darío Castillo Lugo, had similarly issued a circular announcing that public institutions would only work until noon on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, on account of Holy Wednesday. In both cases, these announcements did not affect the official listing of public holidays in the Dominican Republic for the year 2024 and 2025, as these lists of public holidays follow 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.
Eswatini Maintains Public Holiday On April 19 Government of Swaziland Ministry of Home Affairs (Mbabane) Swaziland's Home Affairs Communications Officer, Mlandvo Dlamini, has announced that the upcoming King’s Birthday national holiday would remain on its set date of April 19. The usual date for the King's Birthday annual public holiday is April 19, but in the past this public holiday has often been moved around, for a variety or reasons, despite the fact that Section 2 of the Public Holidays Act, 1938 specifies that this holiday is not to be shifted to another day, even if celebrations occur on a different date. In 2018, it was observed on Thursday, April 19, 2018, and followed by a one-off public holiday on Friday, April 20, 2018, to commemorate the renaming of Swaziland as Eswatini (but April 25, 2018, was declared a regular working day). In 2016, the King's Birthday annual public holiday was observed on Friday, April 22, 2016, due to its set date falling midweek. In 2015, it was observed on Monday, April 20, 2015, due to its set date falling on a Sunday. In 2014, it was moved to Thursday, April 24, 2014, due to its set date falling during the Easter weekend (as is the case in 2025). In 2012, Thursday, April 19, 2012, was declared a regular working day in compensation for Friday, April 20, 2012, having been declared a non-working public holiday. In 2009, it was observed on Monday, April 20, 2009, due to its set date falling on a Sunday.
Eswatini Maintains Public Holiday On April 19 Government of Swaziland Ministry of Home Affairs (Mbabane) Swaziland's Home Affairs Communications Officer, Mlandvo Dlamini, has announced that the upcoming King’s Birthday national holiday would remain on its set date of April 19. The usual date for the King's Birthday annual public holiday is April 19, but in the past this public holiday has often been moved around, for a variety or reasons, despite the fact that Section 2 of the Public Holidays Act, 1938 specifies that this holiday is not to be shifted to another day, even if celebrations occur on a different date. In 2018, it was observed on Thursday, April 19, 2018, and followed by a one-off public holiday on Friday, April 20, 2018, to commemorate the renaming of Swaziland as Eswatini (but April 25, 2018, was declared a regular working day). In 2016, the King's Birthday annual public holiday was observed on Friday, April 22, 2016, due to its set date falling midweek. In 2015, it was observed on Monday, April 20, 2015, due to its set date falling on a Sunday. In 2014, it was moved to Thursday, April 24, 2014, due to its set date falling during the Easter weekend (as is the case in 2025). In 2012, Thursday, April 19, 2012, was declared a regular working day in compensation for Friday, April 20, 2012, having been declared a non-working public holiday. In 2009, it was observed on Monday, April 20, 2009, due to its set date falling on a Sunday.
Gabon Declares April 17 Public Holiday Gouvernement de la République Gabonaise (Libreville) Gabon's ministre du Travail et de la Lutte contre le chômage, Adrien Nguema Mba, has announced that Thursday, April 17, 2025, would be a public holiday in the Gabon on account of the Journée nationale de la Femme. As per the minister's statement "Le Ministre du Travail et de la Lutte contre le Chômage porte à la connaissance des employeurs et des travailleurs ainsi qu’à toute la communauté nationale que, conformément aux dispositions du décret n°00727/PR/MTEFP du 29 juin 1998 règlementant le régime des jours fériés en République Gabonaise et modifié en son article 2 par le décret n°000484/PR/MTE du 26 mai 2004, la journée du jeudi 17 avril 2025 marquant la Journée Nationale de la Femme, est déclarée fériée, chômée et récupérable sur toute l’étendue du territoire national".
Gabon Declares April 17 Public Holiday Gouvernement de la République Gabonaise (Libreville) Gabon's ministre du Travail et de la Lutte contre le chômage, Adrien Nguema Mba, has announced that Thursday, April 17, 2025, would be a public holiday in the Gabon on account of the Journée nationale de la Femme. As per the minister's statement "Le Ministre du Travail et de la Lutte contre le Chômage porte à la connaissance des employeurs et des travailleurs ainsi qu’à toute la communauté nationale que, conformément aux dispositions du décret n°00727/PR/MTEFP du 29 juin 1998 règlementant le régime des jours fériés en République Gabonaise et modifié en son article 2 par le décret n°000484/PR/MTE du 26 mai 2004, la journée du jeudi 17 avril 2025 marquant la Journée Nationale de la Femme, est déclarée fériée, chômée et récupérable sur toute l’étendue du territoire national".
Ghana Declares Extended Easter 2025 Public Holidays Ghana News Agency (Accra) Ghana's Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has issued a press release announcing that Friday, April 18, and Monday, April 21st, 2025, had been declared public holidays ("The general public is hereby informed that Friday, 18thApril 2025, and Monday, 21st April 2025, which mark Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively, are Statutory Public Holidays and should be observed as such throughout the country"). Last year, the then Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, had similarly issued a press release announcing that Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1st, 2024, had been declared public holidays.
Ghana Declares Extended Easter 2025 Public Holidays Ghana News Agency (Accra) Ghana's Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has issued a press release announcing that Friday, April 18, and Monday, April 21st, 2025, had been declared public holidays ("The general public is hereby informed that Friday, 18thApril 2025, and Monday, 21st April 2025, which mark Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively, are Statutory Public Holidays and should be observed as such throughout the country"). Last year, the then Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, had similarly issued a press release announcing that Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1st, 2024, had been declared public holidays.
Madagascar Considering April 23 Public Holiday Filankevitry ny Governemanta (Mahazoarivo) Madagascar's Minister of the Public Service, Hanitra Fitiavana Razakaboana, has announced that the government of Madagascar, and workers' unions, represented by Jean Raphaël Mananandro, have agreed to declare Wednesday, April 23, 2025, as a one-off public holiday (jour férié, chômé et payé) to coincide with the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Madagascar. As per the aforementioned announcement, the April 23 public holiday would be declared in accordance with Article 25 of Decree 62-150 of March 28, 1962, which governs the implementation of weekly rest and paid public holidays, but that companies must arrange for the recovery of the eight hours of work paid at the normal rate, without increase, between April 24 and May 10, 2025, inclusively. The official decree is expected soon.
Madagascar Considering April 23 Public Holiday Filankevitry ny Governemanta (Mahazoarivo) Madagascar's Minister of the Public Service, Hanitra Fitiavana Razakaboana, has announced that the government of Madagascar, and workers' unions, represented by Jean Raphaël Mananandro, have agreed to declare Wednesday, April 23, 2025, as a one-off public holiday (jour férié, chômé et payé) to coincide with the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Madagascar. As per the aforementioned announcement, the April 23 public holiday would be declared in accordance with Article 25 of Decree 62-150 of March 28, 1962, which governs the implementation of weekly rest and paid public holidays, but that companies must arrange for the recovery of the eight hours of work paid at the normal rate, without increase, between April 24 and May 10, 2025, inclusively. The official decree is expected soon.
Mauritius To Declare Varusha Pirappu Public Holiday Prime Minister's Office (Port-Louis) The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam, has announced that, beginning next year, if Thaipoosam Cavadee falls on a Sunday, then Varusha Pirappu (Tamil New Year) will be recognized as a public holiday. Recall that, in 2016, Thaipoosam Cavadee fell on a Sunday and consequently it was omitted from the list of 2016 Mauritius public holidays which, instead, featured a public holiday for Varusha Pirappu for the first time. At the time when the list of 2017 public holidays was announced, it seemed as if the public holidays for Varusha Pirappu and Thaipoosam Cavadee would alternate every 2 years, as is already the case for the Assumption and All Saints annual public holidays of Mauritius. However, this practice was not continued, and Tamil New Year was never declared a public holiday again in Mauritius.
Mauritius To Declare Varusha Pirappu Public Holiday Prime Minister's Office (Port-Louis) The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam, has announced that, beginning next year, if Thaipoosam Cavadee falls on a Sunday, then Varusha Pirappu (Tamil New Year) will be recognized as a public holiday. Recall that, in 2016, Thaipoosam Cavadee fell on a Sunday and consequently it was omitted from the list of 2016 Mauritius public holidays which, instead, featured a public holiday for Varusha Pirappu for the first time. At the time when the list of 2017 public holidays was announced, it seemed as if the public holidays for Varusha Pirappu and Thaipoosam Cavadee would alternate every 2 years, as is already the case for the Assumption and All Saints annual public holidays of Mauritius. However, this practice was not continued, and Tamil New Year was never declared a public holiday again in Mauritius.
Madhesh Province Declares April 15 Public Holiday Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) The Ministry of Home, Communications, and Law of the Government of the Madhesh Province of Nepal has declared Tuesday, April 15, 2025, as a public holiday to celebrate the Siruwa Pawani. Recall that in early March 2023, the Nepalese federal government cabinet decided that provincial governments could add up to six public holidays a year to the national list of Nepalese public holidays released by the federal government, with the Federal Ministry of Home Affairs deciding the regional public holidays to be observed in the Kathmandu valley.
Madhesh Province Declares April 15 Public Holiday Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) The Ministry of Home, Communications, and Law of the Government of the Madhesh Province of Nepal has declared Tuesday, April 15, 2025, as a public holiday to celebrate the Siruwa Pawani. Recall that in early March 2023, the Nepalese federal government cabinet decided that provincial governments could add up to six public holidays a year to the national list of Nepalese public holidays released by the federal government, with the Federal Ministry of Home Affairs deciding the regional public holidays to be observed in the Kathmandu valley.
Venezuela Bank Holidays April 17-18 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 Thursday and Friday, April 17-18, 2025, would be bank holidays in Venezuela, on account of Holy Week, and in line with the official list of 2025 public and banking holidays in Venezuela as announced last November by the Sudeban, in conformity with the "Ley de Reforma Parcial de la Ley de Instituciones del Sector Bancario".
Venezuela Bank Holidays April 17-18 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 Thursday and Friday, April 17-18, 2025, would be bank holidays in Venezuela, on account of Holy Week, and in line with the official list of 2025 public and banking holidays in Venezuela as announced last November by the Sudeban, in conformity with the "Ley de Reforma Parcial de la Ley de Instituciones del Sector Bancario".
Egypt Moves April Public Holidays Egypt State Information Service (Cairo) Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, has issued a decree declaring Monday, 21 April, 2025, as an official paid public holiday for both the public and private sectors in celebration of Sham El-Nessim. Additionally, he announced that Thursday, 24 April, 2025, would be an official paid holiday instead of Friday, 25 April, 2025, to mark Sinai Liberation Day. Finally, Thursday, May 1st, 2025, will also be an official paid holiday in observance of Labour Day. As per the aforementioned decree, these public holidays apply to "employees in ministries, government agencies, public authorities, local administrative units, public sector companies, state-owned enterprises, and the private sector". Since 2020, the Egyptian government moves most mid-week public holidays, except for Eid El-Fitr, Eid El-Adha, and Coptic Christmas, to the nearest Thursday. This does not apply to public holidays whose set date falls on a Sunday, as the Egyptian weekend is Friday/Saturday.
Egypt Moves April Public Holidays Egypt State Information Service (Cairo) Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, has issued a decree declaring Monday, 21 April, 2025, as an official paid public holiday for both the public and private sectors in celebration of Sham El-Nessim. Additionally, he announced that Thursday, 24 April, 2025, would be an official paid holiday instead of Friday, 25 April, 2025, to mark Sinai Liberation Day. Finally, Thursday, May 1st, 2025, will also be an official paid holiday in observance of Labour Day. As per the aforementioned decree, these public holidays apply to "employees in ministries, government agencies, public authorities, local administrative units, public sector companies, state-owned enterprises, and the private sector". Since 2020, the Egyptian government moves most mid-week public holidays, except for Eid El-Fitr, Eid El-Adha, and Coptic Christmas, to the nearest Thursday. This does not apply to public holidays whose set date falls on a Sunday, as the Egyptian weekend is Friday/Saturday.
