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Ecuador Decrees Compensation For Recent October 31 Public Holiday Agencia de Noticias del Ecuador y Sudamérica (ANDES) Ecuador's President, Daniel Noboa Azín, has signed the Executive Decree No.459 defining the modalities of the recovery of the recent one-off public holiday on Thursday, October 31, 2024. The aforementioned decree officially concerns the public sector, but "the private sector will be able to benefit from this provision". Recall that, last month, President Noboa had signed the Executive Decree No.438 extending the 2024 All Souls' and Cuenca Independence public holidays to Thursday, October 31, 2024, with the objective of "strengthening economic activity", meaning that Ecuadorean were on public holidays from October 31 until November 4, 2024, inclusively.
Ecuador Decrees Compensation For Recent October 31 Public Holiday Agencia de Noticias del Ecuador y Sudamérica (ANDES) Ecuador's President, Daniel Noboa Azín, has signed the Executive Decree No.459 defining the modalities of the recovery of the recent one-off public holiday on Thursday, October 31, 2024. The aforementioned decree officially concerns the public sector, but "the private sector will be able to benefit from this provision". Recall that, last month, President Noboa had signed the Executive Decree No.438 extending the 2024 All Souls' and Cuenca Independence public holidays to Thursday, October 31, 2024, with the objective of "strengthening economic activity", meaning that Ecuadorean were on public holidays from October 31 until November 4, 2024, inclusively.
Assam State Cabinet Panel to Examine 2025 Public Holidays Government of Assam (Dispur) The Government of India's state of Assam has announced that a cabinet sub-committee had been formed to examine the Holiday List 2025 prepared by the General Administration Department (GAD), "taking into account the demands received from various associations and organizations". The annual list of non-working public holidays for the calendar year 2024 was published last November in the government notification No.221561/11.
Assam State Cabinet Panel to Examine 2025 Public Holidays Government of Assam (Dispur) The Government of India's state of Assam has announced that a cabinet sub-committee had been formed to examine the Holiday List 2025 prepared by the General Administration Department (GAD), "taking into account the demands received from various associations and organizations". The annual list of non-working public holidays for the calendar year 2024 was published last November in the government notification No.221561/11.
Belarus Decrees List Of 2025 Public Holidays The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus (Minsk) The Council of Ministers of Belarus has issued the Resolution №839, On the transfer of working days in 2025, Based on Part Six of Article 136 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Belarus (О переносе рабочих дней в 2025 году, На основании части шестой статьи 136 Трудового кодекса Республики Беларусь), signed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, R. Golovchenko, and which expands the annual list of non-working public holidays in Belarus during the upcoming calendar year 2025. Once more, the aforementioned Resolution of the Council of Ministers, announces the one-off bridge public holidays and working Saturday in Belarus before the beginning of the year, rather than on a case-by-case basis as was the case before 2013. In related news, Belarus President, Alexander Lukashenko, has revealed that he had given some thought to the idea of declaring a new annual public holiday on September 17 to mark the Day of National Unity but that he had decided against it, considering that "in Belarus, compared to other countries, there are already many non-working holidays", adding that "this issue is not closed, it can be resolved at any time".
Belarus Decrees List Of 2025 Public Holidays The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus (Minsk) The Council of Ministers of Belarus has issued the Resolution №839, On the transfer of working days in 2025, Based on Part Six of Article 136 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Belarus (О переносе рабочих дней в 2025 году, На основании части шестой статьи 136 Трудового кодекса Республики Беларусь), signed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, R. Golovchenko, and which expands the annual list of non-working public holidays in Belarus during the upcoming calendar year 2025. Once more, the aforementioned Resolution of the Council of Ministers, announces the one-off bridge public holidays and working Saturday in Belarus before the beginning of the year, rather than on a case-by-case basis as was the case before 2013. In related news, Belarus President, Alexander Lukashenko, has revealed that he had given some thought to the idea of declaring a new annual public holiday on September 17 to mark the Day of National Unity but that he had decided against it, considering that "in Belarus, compared to other countries, there are already many non-working holidays", adding that "this issue is not closed, it can be resolved at any time".
Dominican Republic Releases 2025 Public Holidays Ministerio de Trabajo República Dominicana (Santo Domingo) The Ministry of Labour of the Dominican Republic has announced its annual list of non-working public holidays in the Dominican Republic for the calendar year 2025, based on law 139-97, published in the Official Gazette No. 9957, dated June 25, 1997, as well as Article 35 of the Constitution and Ruling No. 14 of 02/20/2008 of the Supreme Court of Justice. Recall that, currently, after many court rulings and legislative initiatives, most of the contents of the Ley No. 139-97 (Ley No. 139-97 mediante la cual los días feriados del calendario que coincidan con los días martes y miércoles, jueves o viernes serán trasladados de fecha) have been removed and its scope does not, or no longer, cover the following public holidays; January 1st, January 21, February 27, August 16, September 24, and December 25. Indeed, in 2025, only 2 public holidays will be moved from their set day; May 1st (Día del Trabajo) and November 6 (Día de la Constitución).
Dominican Republic Releases 2025 Public Holidays Ministerio de Trabajo República Dominicana (Santo Domingo) The Ministry of Labour of the Dominican Republic has announced its annual list of non-working public holidays in the Dominican Republic for the calendar year 2025, based on law 139-97, published in the Official Gazette No. 9957, dated June 25, 1997, as well as Article 35 of the Constitution and Ruling No. 14 of 02/20/2008 of the Supreme Court of Justice. Recall that, currently, after many court rulings and legislative initiatives, most of the contents of the Ley No. 139-97 (Ley No. 139-97 mediante la cual los días feriados del calendario que coincidan con los días martes y miércoles, jueves o viernes serán trasladados de fecha) have been removed and its scope does not, or no longer, cover the following public holidays; January 1st, January 21, February 27, August 16, September 24, and December 25. Indeed, in 2025, only 2 public holidays will be moved from their set day; May 1st (Día del Trabajo) and November 6 (Día de la Constitución).
Gujarat 2025 Public Holidays Announced Government of Gujarat (Gandhinagar) The Government of India's state of Gujarat has announced its annual list of 25 public holidays for the upcoming calendar year 2025 in the Government of Gujarat Government vide Notification No.GS/26/ 2024/JSR/ 2024/605/G, signed by Jwalant Trivedi, the additional secretary to government of the General Administration Department of the State of Gujarat. Out of these 25 public holidays, 5 fall on a Sunday or a 2nd/4th Saturday of the month. The aforementioned vide notification also includes 50 optional holidays, 11 of which fall on a Sunday or a 2nd/4th Saturday of the month. The vide Notification No.GS/26/ 2024/JSR/ 2024/605/G contains the usual footnotes, "Government Employees may avail of maximum any two of the holidays on the festival occasions mentioned above at their option and irrespective of their religious denomination. Permission for availment of these optional holidays should however, be applied for in advance and will normally be granted by the officer competent to grant casual leave with due regard to the exigencies of Government work. This leave of two days taken by Government Employees at their discretion on the festival of their choice will not be debited to their casual leave account." and "If any of the Muslim religion holidays notified above, does not fall on the day notified, the Muslim Employees of Government may be granted an optional holiday on the day on which the holiday is actually observed.".
Gujarat 2025 Public Holidays Announced Government of Gujarat (Gandhinagar) The Government of India's state of Gujarat has announced its annual list of 25 public holidays for the upcoming calendar year 2025 in the Government of Gujarat Government vide Notification No.GS/26/ 2024/JSR/ 2024/605/G, signed by Jwalant Trivedi, the additional secretary to government of the General Administration Department of the State of Gujarat. Out of these 25 public holidays, 5 fall on a Sunday or a 2nd/4th Saturday of the month. The aforementioned vide notification also includes 50 optional holidays, 11 of which fall on a Sunday or a 2nd/4th Saturday of the month. The vide Notification No.GS/26/ 2024/JSR/ 2024/605/G contains the usual footnotes, "Government Employees may avail of maximum any two of the holidays on the festival occasions mentioned above at their option and irrespective of their religious denomination. Permission for availment of these optional holidays should however, be applied for in advance and will normally be granted by the officer competent to grant casual leave with due regard to the exigencies of Government work. This leave of two days taken by Government Employees at their discretion on the festival of their choice will not be debited to their casual leave account." and "If any of the Muslim religion holidays notified above, does not fall on the day notified, the Muslim Employees of Government may be granted an optional holiday on the day on which the holiday is actually observed.".
Hungary Approves December 24 Public Holiday Referendum Kormányzat Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium (Budapest) The Hungarian National Election Committee (Nemzeti Választási Bizottság, NVB) has approved a referendum proposal submitted by the Trade Union of Commercial Employees that seeks to designate 24 December as an annual public holiday. As per the aforementioned announcement, the proposed referendum question would be worded as "Do you agree that starting from the calendar year 2025, 24 December should be designated as a public holiday?". Note that December 24, 2024, and December 24, 2025, will be public holidays in Hungary, but they will be compensated by the declaration of Saturday, December 7, 2024, and Saturday, December 13, 2025, respectively, as a regular working days. Earlier this week, we reported that a member of the Jobbik Magyarországért Mozgalom party, Péter Balassa, had once again re-introduced a bill in the Hungarian Parliament to amend Act I of 2012 of the Hungarian Labor Code by declaring Christmas Eve, on December 24, as a new annual Hungarian public holiday. Similar bills were introduced in 2020 and in 2017.
Hungary Approves December 24 Public Holiday Referendum Kormányzat Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium (Budapest) The Hungarian National Election Committee (Nemzeti Választási Bizottság, NVB) has approved a referendum proposal submitted by the Trade Union of Commercial Employees that seeks to designate 24 December as an annual public holiday. As per the aforementioned announcement, the proposed referendum question would be worded as "Do you agree that starting from the calendar year 2025, 24 December should be designated as a public holiday?". Note that December 24, 2024, and December 24, 2025, will be public holidays in Hungary, but they will be compensated by the declaration of Saturday, December 7, 2024, and Saturday, December 13, 2025, respectively, as a regular working days. Earlier this week, we reported that a member of the Jobbik Magyarországért Mozgalom party, Péter Balassa, had once again re-introduced a bill in the Hungarian Parliament to amend Act I of 2012 of the Hungarian Labor Code by declaring Christmas Eve, on December 24, as a new annual Hungarian public holiday. Similar bills were introduced in 2020 and in 2017.
Kurdistan Census Public Holidays Al Sumaria News (Baghdad) The Council of Ministers of the Regional Government of the Kurdistan province of Iraq (KRG), has declared public holidays from November 15 to 23, 2024, in the areas affected by Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, which covers territories disputed between the Kurdistan Region and the Iraqi federal government, to enable broad participation in Iraq’s upcoming national census. The aforementioned public holidays apply to civil servants, security forces, and students, but the Diwan of the Kurdistan Region’s Council of Ministers called on organizations, companies and private institutions to allow their staff members, who hail from the disputed areas, to return to their hometowns as well. Though nominally still a part of Iraq, Kurdistan has benefited from a large dose of de facto independence since 1990 and legally since the 2005 constitution.
Kurdistan Census Public Holidays Al Sumaria News (Baghdad) The Council of Ministers of the Regional Government of the Kurdistan province of Iraq (KRG), has declared public holidays from November 15 to 23, 2024, in the areas affected by Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, which covers territories disputed between the Kurdistan Region and the Iraqi federal government, to enable broad participation in Iraq’s upcoming national census. The aforementioned public holidays apply to civil servants, security forces, and students, but the Diwan of the Kurdistan Region’s Council of Ministers called on organizations, companies and private institutions to allow their staff members, who hail from the disputed areas, to return to their hometowns as well. Though nominally still a part of Iraq, Kurdistan has benefited from a large dose of de facto independence since 1990 and legally since the 2005 constitution.
Latvia To Consider November 11 Public Holiday The Welfare Ministry of the Government of Latvia (Riga) The Saeima (Latvia's unicameral parliament) has approved the consideration of a proposal submitted by the opposition National Alliance (NA) to designate November 11 (Lāčplēsis Day) as a new annual public holiday, and has referred the aforementioned Amendments to the Law on Public Holidays, Commemorations and Commemorative Days to the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee.
Latvia To Consider November 11 Public Holiday The Welfare Ministry of the Government of Latvia (Riga) The Saeima (Latvia's unicameral parliament) has approved the consideration of a proposal submitted by the opposition National Alliance (NA) to designate November 11 (Lāčplēsis Day) as a new annual public holiday, and has referred the aforementioned Amendments to the Law on Public Holidays, Commemorations and Commemorative Days to the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee.
Venezuelan Bank Holiday November 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 Monday, November 18, 2024, would be a bank holiday in Venezuela, on account of the upcoming Día de la Virgen del Rosario de Chiquinquirá, patron saint of the state of Zulia, a date only observed by banks and the financial sector of Venezuela. The aforementioned announcement is in line with the official list of 2024 public and banking holidays in Venezuela as announced last December by the Sudeban, in conformity with the Ley de Reforma Parcial de la Ley de Instituciones del Sector Bancario.
Venezuelan Bank Holiday November 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 Monday, November 18, 2024, would be a bank holiday in Venezuela, on account of the upcoming Día de la Virgen del Rosario de Chiquinquirá, patron saint of the state of Zulia, a date only observed by banks and the financial sector of Venezuela. The aforementioned announcement is 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.
Kyrgyzstan Releases Draft List of 2025 Public Holidays Ministry of Labor Employment and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic (Bishkek) The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has released a draft cabinet resolution (О введении в действие Трудового кодекса Кыргызской Республики и внесении изменений в некоторые законодательные акты в сфере труда) on changes affecting the list of 2025 public holidays, for public discussion. Though the resolution is intended to apply to employees of state and municipal organizations, institutions and enterprises financed from the state budget, the draft do specify that "in order to rationally use weekends and non-working holidays, the draft proposes to recommend that heads of legal entities with private ownership, working on a five-day workweek schedule, transfer weekends next year in accordance with this resolution". Recall that, last April, the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan announced changes to the annual public holidays in Kyrgyzstan, as part of the new Labor Code, namely, the abolition of the practice of declaring bridge public holiday compensated by working Saturdays, an annual 7-day period of public holidays in January and an 8-day period of public holidays in May, and the cancellation of 4 annual public holidays dates (whose status changes to holidays but working days). In June, the First Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan, Jyparisa Rysbekova, announced the approval to the changes to the annual public holidays in Kyrgyzstan in the new Labor Code, as announced in April ("Kyrgyzstan will have 21 holidays in a year").
Kyrgyzstan Releases Draft List of 2025 Public Holidays Ministry of Labor Employment and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic (Bishkek) The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has released a draft cabinet resolution (О введении в действие Трудового кодекса Кыргызской Республики и внесении изменений в некоторые законодательные акты в сфере труда) on changes affecting the list of 2025 public holidays, for public discussion. Though the resolution is intended to apply to employees of state and municipal organizations, institutions and enterprises financed from the state budget, the draft do specify that "in order to rationally use weekends and non-working holidays, the draft proposes to recommend that heads of legal entities with private ownership, working on a five-day workweek schedule, transfer weekends next year in accordance with this resolution". Recall that, last April, the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan announced changes to the annual public holidays in Kyrgyzstan, as part of the new Labor Code, namely, the abolition of the practice of declaring bridge public holiday compensated by working Saturdays, an annual 7-day period of public holidays in January and an 8-day period of public holidays in May, and the cancellation of 4 annual public holidays dates (whose status changes to holidays but working days). In June, the First Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan, Jyparisa Rysbekova, announced the approval to the changes to the annual public holidays in Kyrgyzstan in the new Labor Code, as announced in April ("Kyrgyzstan will have 21 holidays in a year").
UAE Announces 4-Day National Day Public Holidays Emirates News Agency (WAM) The UAE has announced that the upcoming National Day celebrations will occur on Monday and Tuesday, December 2-3, 2024, and be officially called Eid Al Etihad. Since January 1, 2022, the UAE observes a Saturday-Sunday weekend "to better align its economy with global markets", meaning that the upcoming Eid Al Etihad will run for 4 consecutive days.
UAE Announces 4-Day National Day Public Holidays Emirates News Agency (WAM) The UAE has announced that the upcoming National Day celebrations will occur on Monday and Tuesday, December 2-3, 2024, and be officially called Eid Al Etihad. Since January 1, 2022, the UAE observes a Saturday-Sunday weekend "to better align its economy with global markets", meaning that the upcoming Eid Al Etihad will run for 4 consecutive days.
China Overhauls Public Holidays And Releases 2025 Public Holidays Government Portal of the State Council of China (Beijing) The General Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China has announced the list of 2025 public holidays and postponed working days in China in the Notice of the General Office of the State Council on the Arrangements for Some Holidays in 2025, reference 000014349/ 2024-00094 (国务院办公厅关于2025年部分节假日安排的通知). As usual, some Saturdays and Sundays are designated as working days to compensate the declaration of one-off bridge public holidays. Private companies are allowed to observe other days off, as long as these are in addition the official holiday calendar. The aforementioned announcement is particularly interesting in the details that it provides as to the new rules concerning bridge public holidays and compensatory workdays, as "Approved by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and in accordance with the National Holidays and Memorial Days Regulations revised in November 2024, starting from January 1, 2025" for New Year's Day, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
China Overhauls Public Holidays And Releases 2025 Public Holidays Government Portal of the State Council of China (Beijing) The General Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China has announced the list of 2025 public holidays and postponed working days in China in the Notice of the General Office of the State Council on the Arrangements for Some Holidays in 2025, reference 000014349/ 2024-00094 (国务院办公厅关于2025年部分节假日安排的通知). As usual, some Saturdays and Sundays are designated as working days to compensate the declaration of one-off bridge public holidays. Private companies are allowed to observe other days off, as long as these are in addition the official holiday calendar. The aforementioned announcement is particularly interesting in the details that it provides as to the new rules concerning bridge public holidays and compensatory workdays, as "Approved by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and in accordance with the National Holidays and Memorial Days Regulations revised in November 2024, starting from January 1, 2025" for New Year's Day, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Gabon Declares November 14-15-16 Public Holidays Gouvernement de la République Gabonaise (Libreville) Gabon's ministre du Travail et de la Lutte contre le chômage, Adrien Nguema Mba, has announced that Saturday, November 16, 2024, would be a public holiday on account of the constitutional referendum being held on that date. The minister, referring himself to the décret n°0407/PR/MIS, further added that "les journées du jeudi 14 et du vendredi 15 novembre 2024 seront également fériées, chômées et récupérables sur l'ensemble du territoire national. Cette décision vise à faciliter l'organisation des électeurs et à encourager une large mobilisation".
Gabon Declares November 14-15-16 Public Holidays Gouvernement de la République Gabonaise (Libreville) Gabon's ministre du Travail et de la Lutte contre le chômage, Adrien Nguema Mba, has announced that Saturday, November 16, 2024, would be a public holiday on account of the constitutional referendum being held on that date. The minister, referring himself to the décret n°0407/PR/MIS, further added that "les journées du jeudi 14 et du vendredi 15 novembre 2024 seront également fériées, chômées et récupérables sur l'ensemble du territoire national. Cette décision vise à faciliter l'organisation des électeurs et à encourager une large mobilisation".
Odisha 2025 Public Holidays Announced Government of Odisha (Bhubaneswar) The Revenue and Disaster Management Department of the Government of India's state of Odisha has released a vide notification containing the annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Odisha for the upcoming calendar year 2025 ("The Government of Odisha is pleased to declare that State Government offices and Revenue and Magisterial Courts (Executive) will remain closed on the holidays listed in Annexure-1 for the calendar year 2025, Saka-Era 1946 and 1947").
Odisha 2025 Public Holidays Announced Government of Odisha (Bhubaneswar) The Revenue and Disaster Management Department of the Government of India's state of Odisha has released a vide notification containing the annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Odisha for the upcoming calendar year 2025 ("The Government of Odisha is pleased to declare that State Government offices and Revenue and Magisterial Courts (Executive) will remain closed on the holidays listed in Annexure-1 for the calendar year 2025, Saka-Era 1946 and 1947").
Russian Duma To Consider December 28 Public Holiday ITAR-TASS (Moscow) Several deputies of the State Duma (the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia) have put forward a legislative initiative to amend the terms of last year's resolution gazetting the list of 2024 public holidays in Russia (О переносе выходных дней в 2024 году), as signed by Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Mishustin, in the summer of 2023. The aforementioned initiative would cancel the working day of Saturday, December 28, 2024, which had been declared to compensate the declaration of Monday, December 30, 2024, as a one-off public holiday. As per a statement released by the office of Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry Grigorenko, "The letter was received by the government office. It will be reviewed in accordance with the established procedure".
Russian Duma To Consider December 28 Public Holiday ITAR-TASS (Moscow) Several deputies of the State Duma (the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia) have put forward a legislative initiative to amend the terms of last year's resolution gazetting the list of 2024 public holidays in Russia (О переносе выходных дней в 2024 году), as signed by Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Mishustin, in the summer of 2023. The aforementioned initiative would cancel the working day of Saturday, December 28, 2024, which had been declared to compensate the declaration of Monday, December 30, 2024, as a one-off public holiday. As per a statement released by the office of Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry Grigorenko, "The letter was received by the government office. It will be reviewed in accordance with the established procedure".
Hungary December 24 Public Holiday In The Spotlight Again Kormányzat Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium (Budapest) A member of the Jobbik Magyarországért Mozgalom party, Péter Balassa, has once again re-introduced a bill in the Hungarian Parliament to amend Act I of 2012 of the Hungarian Labor Code by declaring Christmas Eve, on December 24, as a new annual Hungarian public holiday. A similar bill was introduced in 2020 and in 2017. Note that December 24, 2024, and December 24, 2025, will be public holidays in Hungary, but they will be compensated by the declaration of Saturday, December 7, 2024, and Saturday, December 13, 2025, respectively, as a regular working days. Indeed, each recent relaunch of the December 24 legislative initiative (2017, 2020, 2024, and 2025) seems to have been spurred by the fact that that year's December 24 working day had been shifted to a nearby Saturday. In related news, the Government of Hungary has issued a decree instituting public sector holidays "from the first working day after December 26 to the day before the first working day of the following year". According to the decree, this administrative break will be introduced every year at the end of December, and will apply to the last working days of the year.
Hungary December 24 Public Holiday In The Spotlight Again Kormányzat Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium (Budapest) A member of the Jobbik Magyarországért Mozgalom party, Péter Balassa, has once again re-introduced a bill in the Hungarian Parliament to amend Act I of 2012 of the Hungarian Labor Code by declaring Christmas Eve, on December 24, as a new annual Hungarian public holiday. A similar bill was introduced in 2020 and in 2017. Note that December 24, 2024, and December 24, 2025, will be public holidays in Hungary, but they will be compensated by the declaration of Saturday, December 7, 2024, and Saturday, December 13, 2025, respectively, as a regular working days. Indeed, each recent relaunch of the December 24 legislative initiative (2017, 2020, 2024, and 2025) seems to have been spurred by the fact that that year's December 24 working day had been shifted to a nearby Saturday. In related news, the Government of Hungary has issued a decree instituting public sector holidays "from the first working day after December 26 to the day before the first working day of the following year". According to the decree, this administrative break will be introduced every year at the end of December, and will apply to the last working days of the year.
Myanmar Rebukes Calendar Publishers For Incorrect 2024 and 2025 Public Holidays Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Yangoon) The Ministry of Information of the government of Myanmar has summoned calendar publishers which had published calendars with incorrect public holidays dates in their 2024 and 2025 editions. As per the communique, the calendar publishers were summoned "to record a warning and make them sign an acknowledgement". The incorrect public holidays mentioned are November 14, 2024, as well as June 10, September 29, December 4, and December 29, 2025. There was some confusion about the list of 2024 public holidays, last March, after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government of Myanmar published an amended list of public holidays for the remainder of the calendar year 2024, with most of the public holidays for March to December 2024 having an additional day added to them. But this error was corrected within a fortnight. In any case, none of the dates mentioned in the communique of the Ministry of Information matches the incorrect dates listed during these 2 weeks of March 2024, apart from November 14, 2024, but the 2024 calendars would have been printed months before that March 2024 erroneous announcement.
Myanmar Rebukes Calendar Publishers For Incorrect 2024 and 2025 Public Holidays Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Yangoon) The Ministry of Information of the government of Myanmar has summoned calendar publishers which had published calendars with incorrect public holidays dates in their 2024 and 2025 editions. As per the communique, the calendar publishers were summoned "to record a warning and make them sign an acknowledgement". The incorrect public holidays mentioned are November 14, 2024, as well as June 10, September 29, December 4, and December 29, 2025. There was some confusion about the list of 2024 public holidays, last March, after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government of Myanmar published an amended list of public holidays for the remainder of the calendar year 2024, with most of the public holidays for March to December 2024 having an additional day added to them. But this error was corrected within a fortnight. In any case, none of the dates mentioned in the communique of the Ministry of Information matches the incorrect dates listed during these 2 weeks of March 2024, apart from November 14, 2024, but the 2024 calendars would have been printed months before that March 2024 erroneous announcement.
Sri Lanka Post-Election Public Holiday Unlikely The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Colombo) Sri Lanka's Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, has not, so far, declared a public holiday on account of the parliamentary elections being held on Thursday, November 14, 2024. It is often the day after the elections that is declared a one-off public holiday, as was done on Monday, September 23, 2024, following the recent presidential election. The government of Sri Lanka had similarly declared the day after the 2010 presidential election, Wednesday, January 27, 2010, as a one-off public holiday, and it had also declared Friday, April 9, 2010, the day following the then upcoming parliamentary elections, a special non-working public and bank holiday. But, this time, the day after the upcoming parliamentary elections being held on Thursday, November 14, 2024, is already a public holiday on account of the Ill Full Moon Poya Day.
Sri Lanka Post-Election Public Holiday Unlikely The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Colombo) Sri Lanka's Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, has not, so far, declared a public holiday on account of the parliamentary elections being held on Thursday, November 14, 2024. It is often the day after the elections that is declared a one-off public holiday, as was done on Monday, September 23, 2024, following the recent presidential election. The government of Sri Lanka had similarly declared the day after the 2010 presidential election, Wednesday, January 27, 2010, as a one-off public holiday, and it had also declared Friday, April 9, 2010, the day following the then upcoming parliamentary elections, a special non-working public and bank holiday. But, this time, the day after the upcoming parliamentary elections being held on Thursday, November 14, 2024, is already a public holiday on account of the Ill Full Moon Poya Day.
Thailand Extends 2025 and 2026 Public Holidays Thai News Agency (Bangkok) The cabinet of the government of Thailand has approved two additional one-off public holidays for the calendar year 2025, and one additional one-off public holiday for the calendar year 2026. As per deputy government spokesperson, Sasikan Wattanachan, the aforementioned declaration of 3 one-off public holidays is in line with the Paetongtarn administration’s move to designate next year as the year of tourism and sports. Recall that the official list and dates of the annual bank holidays and non-working public holidays in Thailand, for the calendar year 2025, had been released by the Bank of Thailand, last August.
Thailand Extends 2025 and 2026 Public Holidays Thai News Agency (Bangkok) The cabinet of the government of Thailand has approved two additional one-off public holidays for the calendar year 2025, and one additional one-off public holiday for the calendar year 2026. As per deputy government spokesperson, Sasikan Wattanachan, the aforementioned declaration of 3 one-off public holidays is in line with the Paetongtarn administration’s move to designate next year as the year of tourism and sports. Recall that the official list and dates of the annual bank holidays and non-working public holidays in Thailand, for the calendar year 2025, had been released by the Bank of Thailand, last August.
Oman Moves National Day Public Holidays Oman News Agency (Muscat) Oman's state news agency has announced that Sultan Haitham bin Tarik had decided that the upcoming November 18-19 National Day public holidays would be moved to adjoin the following weekend. As per the aforementioned announcement, "By Royal Decree, it has been decided that Wednesday and Thursday, November 20 and 21, 2024 will be official holidays for employees in the administrative units of the state apparatus, other legal entities, and workers in private sector establishments.", adding that "Work on these two days is permissible if necessary, provided that compensation is given in accordance with the applicable regulations.". Recall that, last year, the dates of the 53rd National Day public holidays for the public sector and the private sector were similarly moved to Wednesday and Thursday, November 22 and 23, 2023. The Royal Decree No. 88/2022 fixing official holidays in Oman does specify "National Day to be on 18 and 19 November" but goes on to add that "If any of the days of the weekly off coincides with the above-mentioned holidays, it shall be compensated by a single day" and that "The dates of the above-mentioned holidays may be amended if public interest so dictates".
Oman Moves National Day Public Holidays Oman News Agency (Muscat) Oman's state news agency has announced that Sultan Haitham bin Tarik had decided that the upcoming November 18-19 National Day public holidays would be moved to adjoin the following weekend. As per the aforementioned announcement, "By Royal Decree, it has been decided that Wednesday and Thursday, November 20 and 21, 2024 will be official holidays for employees in the administrative units of the state apparatus, other legal entities, and workers in private sector establishments.", adding that "Work on these two days is permissible if necessary, provided that compensation is given in accordance with the applicable regulations.". Recall that, last year, the dates of the 53rd National Day public holidays for the public sector and the private sector were similarly moved to Wednesday and Thursday, November 22 and 23, 2023. The Royal Decree No. 88/2022 fixing official holidays in Oman does specify "National Day to be on 18 and 19 November" but goes on to add that "If any of the days of the weekly off coincides with the above-mentioned holidays, it shall be compensated by a single day" and that "The dates of the above-mentioned holidays may be amended if public interest so dictates".
Mozambique Cancels Maputo Day Public Holiday Agencia de Informção de Moçambique (Maputo) The Municipality of Maputo, Mozambique's capital, has announced that there would be no public sector holiday on November 10th on account of the celebration of the anniversary of the city of Maputo, without giving any additional details, except that "there will be no holiday, with Monday being a working day for all workers and public services".
Mozambique Cancels Maputo Day Public Holiday Agencia de Informção de Moçambique (Maputo) The Municipality of Maputo, Mozambique's capital, has announced that there would be no public sector holiday on November 10th on account of the celebration of the anniversary of the city of Maputo, without giving any additional details, except that "there will be no holiday, with Monday being a working day for all workers and public services".
Sarawak DPM To Propose Deepavali Public Holiday Bernama News Agency (Kuching) Earlier tonight, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia's State of Sarawak, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, has announced that he will propose to the Sarawak state government that Deepavali be declared an annual public holiday in the State of Sarawak. Sarawak is the last state/territory of Malaysia where Deepavali is not a non-working public holiday, as per last summer's Federal Public Holidays Schedule 2025 (Jadual Hari Kelepasan Am Persekutuan 2025) and State Public Holiday Schedule 2024 (Jadual Hari Kelepasan Am Negeri 2025).
Sarawak DPM To Propose Deepavali Public Holiday Bernama News Agency (Kuching) Earlier tonight, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia's State of Sarawak, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, has announced that he will propose to the Sarawak state government that Deepavali be declared an annual public holiday in the State of Sarawak. Sarawak is the last state/territory of Malaysia where Deepavali is not a non-working public holiday, as per last summer's Federal Public Holidays Schedule 2025 (Jadual Hari Kelepasan Am Persekutuan 2025) and State Public Holiday Schedule 2024 (Jadual Hari Kelepasan Am Negeri 2025).
Indonesian Electoral Public Holiday November 27 Situs Resmi Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Kesejahteraan Rakyat (Jakarta) Indonesia's Secretary of State, Prasetyo Hadi, has announced that the Indonesian government had decided to declare Wednesday, November 27, 2024, as a one-off public holiday on account of the Simultaneous Regional Elections being held on that date, as was done in 2020, 2018, and 2015. The initial list of 2024 public holidays in Indonesia was set in the the September 2023 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.
Indonesian Electoral Public Holiday November 27 Situs Resmi Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Kesejahteraan Rakyat (Jakarta) Indonesia's Secretary of State, Prasetyo Hadi, has announced that the Indonesian government had decided to declare Wednesday, November 27, 2024, as a one-off public holiday on account of the Simultaneous Regional Elections being held on that date, as was done in 2020, 2018, and 2015. The initial list of 2024 public holidays in Indonesia was set in the the September 2023 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.
Telangana 2025 Public Holidays Released Government of Telangana (Hyderabad) The Government of India's State of Telangana has released the vide Notification G.O.Rt.No.1479 which lists the official public holidays to be observed in the Indian State of Telangana for the upcoming calendar year 2025. As per the aforementioned notification, "The Government of Telangana hereby notifies that during the year 2025 the days specified in Annexure-I shall be observed as General Holidays by all the State Government Offices including the days for occasions /festivals which fall on Sundays and also notify Optional Holidays for State Government offices as shown in Annexure-II including the days for occasions /festivals which are falling on Sundays.", adding that "The State Government directs that all offices under State Government shall remain closed on all Sundays and Second Saturdays in all the months during the year 2025 except the Second Saturday (08.02.2025) in the month of February, 2025 which will be a working day in lieu of public holiday declared on 1st January, 2025" and finally specifying that "The Government also directs that General Holidays shall not ipso-facto apply to the Industrial Establishment and Public Undertakings under the control of the State Government, the workmen engaged in Public Works Departments and Educational Institutions in this State". Telangana was formed as the 29th state of India on June 2, 2014, having been separated from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, with which it still shares many local holidays.
Telangana 2025 Public Holidays Released Government of Telangana (Hyderabad) The Government of India's State of Telangana has released the vide Notification G.O.Rt.No.1479 which lists the official public holidays to be observed in the Indian State of Telangana for the upcoming calendar year 2025. As per the aforementioned notification, "The Government of Telangana hereby notifies that during the year 2025 the days specified in Annexure-I shall be observed as General Holidays by all the State Government Offices including the days for occasions /festivals which fall on Sundays and also notify Optional Holidays for State Government offices as shown in Annexure-II including the days for occasions /festivals which are falling on Sundays.", adding that "The State Government directs that all offices under State Government shall remain closed on all Sundays and Second Saturdays in all the months during the year 2025 except the Second Saturday (08.02.2025) in the month of February, 2025 which will be a working day in lieu of public holiday declared on 1st January, 2025" and finally specifying that "The Government also directs that General Holidays shall not ipso-facto apply to the Industrial Establishment and Public Undertakings under the control of the State Government, the workmen engaged in Public Works Departments and Educational Institutions in this State". Telangana was formed as the 29th state of India on June 2, 2014, having been separated from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, with which it still shares many local holidays.
Uruguay 2025 Public Holidays Announced Presidencia de la República (República Oriental del Uruguay) The government of Uruguay has released the list of 2024 public holidays in Uruguay, including the 3 annual public holidays of Uruguay which still follow the Emiliani Rule, whereby mid-week fixed-date public holidays are moved to adjoin a nearby weekend. As usual a distinction is made between non-working holidays (enjoyed by all) and working holidays (limited to the public sector and the financial sector). In 2011, the government of Uruguay decided to freeze the date of the May 18 public holiday, while Uruguay's Parliament had permanently frozen the June 19 and November 2 public holidays in 2001, leaving only 3 movable public holidays in Uruguay: April 19, May 18, and October 12.
Uruguay 2025 Public Holidays Announced Presidencia de la República (República Oriental del Uruguay) The government of Uruguay has released the list of 2024 public holidays in Uruguay, including the 3 annual public holidays of Uruguay which still follow the Emiliani Rule, whereby mid-week fixed-date public holidays are moved to adjoin a nearby weekend. As usual a distinction is made between non-working holidays (enjoyed by all) and working holidays (limited to the public sector and the financial sector). In 2011, the government of Uruguay decided to freeze the date of the May 18 public holiday, while Uruguay's Parliament had permanently frozen the June 19 and November 2 public holidays in 2001, leaving only 3 movable public holidays in Uruguay: April 19, May 18, and October 12.
Haryana Declares November 13 Electoral Public Holidays Government of Haryana (Chandigarh) The Government of India's state of Haryana has released the vide notification No.FW/Election/2024/4053 declaring a paid public holidays on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, for Haryana workers registered to vote in the by-elections of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. As per the aforementioned notification, "the Governor of Haryana is pleased to exempt all the adult workers working in the factories situated in the State of Haryana who are the voters in aforesaid Bye Election to the Assembly Constituencies of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh which is to be held on 13.11.2024 from the operations of provisions of section 52 (1) (a) of the said Act, for the week commencing from 10.11.2024 and ending 16.11.2024, subject to the condition that no adult worker who is enrolled as voter in aforesaid Bye Election to the Assembly Constituencies of 67-Ramgarh, District Alwar and 161- Chorasi (ST), District Dungarpur of Rajasthan and 16-Meerapur, 29-Kundarki, 56 Ghaziabad, 71- Khair (SC), 110-Karhal, 213 Sishamau, 256- Phulpur, 277- Katehari and 397-Majhawan of Uttar Pradesh shall be required or allowed to work on 13.11.2024 (Wednesday) in the factories of the state of Haryana". The aforementioned announcement is outside of the scope of the terms of the General Administration Department vide Notification No. 28/67/2008-1HR-1 of last December containing the annual list of non-working public holidays in India's state of Haryana for the upcoming calendar year 2024.
Haryana Declares November 13 Electoral Public Holidays Government of Haryana (Chandigarh) The Government of India's state of Haryana has released the vide notification No.FW/Election/2024/4053 declaring a paid public holidays on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, for Haryana workers registered to vote in the by-elections of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. As per the aforementioned notification, "the Governor of Haryana is pleased to exempt all the adult workers working in the factories situated in the State of Haryana who are the voters in aforesaid Bye Election to the Assembly Constituencies of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh which is to be held on 13.11.2024 from the operations of provisions of section 52 (1) (a) of the said Act, for the week commencing from 10.11.2024 and ending 16.11.2024, subject to the condition that no adult worker who is enrolled as voter in aforesaid Bye Election to the Assembly Constituencies of 67-Ramgarh, District Alwar and 161- Chorasi (ST), District Dungarpur of Rajasthan and 16-Meerapur, 29-Kundarki, 56 Ghaziabad, 71- Khair (SC), 110-Karhal, 213 Sishamau, 256- Phulpur, 277- Katehari and 397-Majhawan of Uttar Pradesh shall be required or allowed to work on 13.11.2024 (Wednesday) in the factories of the state of Haryana". The aforementioned announcement is outside of the scope of the terms of the General Administration Department vide Notification No. 28/67/2008-1HR-1 of last December containing the annual list of non-working public holidays in India's state of Haryana for the upcoming calendar year 2024.
Pakistan Declares November 9 Public Holiday For Allama Iqbal Associated Press Of Pakistan (Islamabad) The Federal government of Pakistan has announced that Saturday, November 9, 2024, would be a public holiday in Pakistan on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Today's announcement 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. Recall that the November 9th, Iqbal Day public holiday was canceled from 2015 until 2022, inclusively.
Pakistan Declares November 9 Public Holiday For Allama Iqbal Associated Press Of Pakistan (Islamabad) The Federal government of Pakistan has announced that Saturday, November 9, 2024, would be a public holiday in Pakistan on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Today's announcement 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. Recall that the November 9th, Iqbal Day public holiday was canceled from 2015 until 2022, inclusively.
Poland Set To Vote On New Christmas Eve Public Holiday Polskie Radio (Warsaw) Polish lawmakers in the Sejm are about to vote on a bill submitted by The Left (Lewica) to make Christmas Eve a new annual public holiday in Poland, and to stipulate that retail trading would only be possible until 14:00 (2pm) on Easter Saturday. Late last month, we had reported that Poland’s conservative president, Andrzej Sebastian Duda, and the Catholic church, had voiced their support for the Lewica proposal. As per Katarzyna Ueberhan, a sponsor of the bill, when questioned about the potential negative economic impact of this new public holiday, "We all pretend to be at work [on December 24], but in reality, everyone is counting the hours to be home with their families". The last permanent change to the list of Poland's public holidays was in 2010 when the Polish Parliament approved a draft amendment to the Labour Law and Bill on Holidays, which re-established Epiphany as an official non-working public holiday, beginning in 2011. Until then, Epiphany had been the only religious public holiday not restored since Poland regained its independence in 1991.
Poland Set To Vote On New Christmas Eve Public Holiday Polskie Radio (Warsaw) Polish lawmakers in the Sejm are about to vote on a bill submitted by The Left (Lewica) to make Christmas Eve a new annual public holiday in Poland, and to stipulate that retail trading would only be possible until 14:00 (2pm) on Easter Saturday. Late last month, we had reported that Poland’s conservative president, Andrzej Sebastian Duda, and the Catholic church, had voiced their support for the Lewica proposal. As per Katarzyna Ueberhan, a sponsor of the bill, when questioned about the potential negative economic impact of this new public holiday, "We all pretend to be at work [on December 24], but in reality, everyone is counting the hours to be home with their families". The last permanent change to the list of Poland's public holidays was in 2010 when the Polish Parliament approved a draft amendment to the Labour Law and Bill on Holidays, which re-established Epiphany as an official non-working public holiday, beginning in 2011. Until then, Epiphany had been the only religious public holiday not restored since Poland regained its independence in 1991.
Assam Declares November 13 Electoral Public Holiday Government of Assam (Guwahati) The Governor of India's state of Assam, under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, has declared Wednesday, November 13, 2024, as a public holiday in the 5 constituencies in which a by-election will be held on that date. As per the announcement, all government and non-government offices, educational institutions, and businesses within the Dholai, Sidli, Bongaigaon, Behali, and Samaguri constituencies will remain closed, while specifying that all offices and businesses outside the affected constituencies will operate as usual on the 13th of November. The aforementioned announcement is outside of the scope of last November's Government vide notification No.221561/11 which specified the annual list of non-working public holidays in India's state of Assam for the calendar year 2024.
Assam Declares November 13 Electoral Public Holiday Government of Assam (Guwahati) The Governor of India's state of Assam, under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, has declared Wednesday, November 13, 2024, as a public holiday in the 5 constituencies in which a by-election will be held on that date. As per the announcement, all government and non-government offices, educational institutions, and businesses within the Dholai, Sidli, Bongaigaon, Behali, and Samaguri constituencies will remain closed, while specifying that all offices and businesses outside the affected constituencies will operate as usual on the 13th of November. The aforementioned announcement is outside of the scope of last November's Government vide notification No.221561/11 which specified the annual list of non-working public holidays in India's state of Assam for the calendar year 2024.
Montenegro Njegoš Day Public Holidays November 13-14 The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare of Montenegro (Podgorica) Montenegro’s Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare has announced that the upcoming Njegoš Day public holidays would be observed on Wednesday and Thursday, November 13-14, 2024, in line with the terms of the Law on National and Other Holidays which specifies that "national and other holidays are celebrated on two days, on the day of the holiday and the following day". The Njegoš Day public holiday had been proposed in 2013, then shelved, and again in 2016, before coming into force beginning in 2022.
Montenegro Njegoš Day Public Holidays November 13-14 The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare of Montenegro (Podgorica) Montenegro’s Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare has announced that the upcoming Njegoš Day public holidays would be observed on Wednesday and Thursday, November 13-14, 2024, in line with the terms of the Law on National and Other Holidays which specifies that "national and other holidays are celebrated on two days, on the day of the holiday and the following day". The Njegoš Day public holiday had been proposed in 2013, then shelved, and again in 2016, before coming into force beginning in 2022.
Pakistan Bank Holiday November 9 The State Bank of Pakistan (Karachi) The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued a BPRD Circular Letter announcing that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), allied offices and public and private sector financial institutions "will remain closed on Saturday, November 09, 2024 being public holiday on the occasion of Allama Iqbal Day, as declared by the Government of Pakistan" and that "all the banks, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and Micro Finance Banks (MFBs) will also observe the public holiday on November 09, 2024". 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 Bank Holiday November 9 The State Bank of Pakistan (Karachi) The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued a BPRD Circular Letter announcing that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), allied offices and public and private sector financial institutions "will remain closed on Saturday, November 09, 2024 being public holiday on the occasion of Allama Iqbal Day, as declared by the Government of Pakistan" and that "all the banks, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and Micro Finance Banks (MFBs) will also observe the public holiday on November 09, 2024". 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.
Thüringen Could Observe May 8 Public Holiday In 2025 Thüringer Allgemeine (Erfurt) The Die Linke parliamentary group of Germany's state of Thuringia has introduced a parliamentary initiative calling for May 8 to be declared a public holiday in Thuringia in 2025, to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation and the end of the Second World War. May 8 has been commemorated as a day of remembrance (a working day) in Thuringia since 2016. Recall that, in late 2018, the German State of Berlin declared May 8, 2020, as a one-off non-working public holiday to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two. Then, earlier this year, Berlin voted to declare May 8th as a recurring public holiday, every five years, to mark the anniversary of the end of World War Two.
Thüringen Could Observe May 8 Public Holiday In 2025 Thüringer Allgemeine (Erfurt) The Die Linke parliamentary group of Germany's state of Thuringia has introduced a parliamentary initiative calling for May 8 to be declared a public holiday in Thuringia in 2025, to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation and the end of the Second World War. May 8 has been commemorated as a day of remembrance (a working day) in Thuringia since 2016. Recall that, in late 2018, the German State of Berlin declared May 8, 2020, as a one-off non-working public holiday to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two. Then, earlier this year, Berlin voted to declare May 8th as a recurring public holiday, every five years, to mark the anniversary of the end of World War Two.
Botswana Declares November 7-8 Public Holidays Botswana Press Agency (Gaborone) Botswanan government spokesperson, Montlenyane Baaitse, has announced that one and a half days had been declared as public holidays to mark the inauguration of Botswana's new president, Duma Gideon Boko. As per the aforementioned announcement, "The public is informed that the President of the Republic of Botswana, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, has officially declared Friday the 8th of November 2024 as a paid public holiday", adding that Thursday, November 7, 2024, has been designated as a half day to allow for safe travel for long-distance travelers heading to the capital, Gaborone, to witness the inauguration event. Recall that October 30 and 31, 2024, were designated as public holidays, on account of last month's Presidential election.
Botswana Declares November 7-8 Public Holidays Botswana Press Agency (Gaborone) Botswanan government spokesperson, Montlenyane Baaitse, has announced that one and a half days had been declared as public holidays to mark the inauguration of Botswana's new president, Duma Gideon Boko. As per the aforementioned announcement, "The public is informed that the President of the Republic of Botswana, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, has officially declared Friday the 8th of November 2024 as a paid public holiday", adding that Thursday, November 7, 2024, has been designated as a half day to allow for safe travel for long-distance travelers heading to the capital, Gaborone, to witness the inauguration event. Recall that October 30 and 31, 2024, were designated as public holidays, on account of last month's Presidential election.
Ghana Rules-Out November 8 Public Holiday Ghana Government Portal (Accra) Ghana's Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, has issued the press statement Friday, 8th November 2024 not a Public Holiday, announcing that "The general public is hereby informed that Friday, 8th November 2024, is NOT a Public Holiday even though the 2024 National Farmers’ Day will be observed on that day". The aforementioned communique goes on to add that "However, Friday, 6th December 2024, which marks Farmers’ Day, remains a Statutory Public Holiday and will be observed as such throughout the country". The aforementioned announcement is due to the fact that, every election year, Farmers' Day is moved to the first Friday of November, while the associated public holiday remains on the first Friday of December, and is in line with the list of 2024 public holidays in Ghana, as announced in the "Statutory Public Holidays And Commemorative Days In The Republic Of Ghana For The Year 2024", released earlier this year. The general confusion about this mechanism, can cause the government to issue conflicting announcements about Farmer's Day, by separate ministries, as was the case in 2020 and 2016.
Ghana Rules-Out November 8 Public Holiday Ghana Government Portal (Accra) Ghana's Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, has issued the press statement Friday, 8th November 2024 not a Public Holiday, announcing that "The general public is hereby informed that Friday, 8th November 2024, is NOT a Public Holiday even though the 2024 National Farmers’ Day will be observed on that day". The aforementioned communique goes on to add that "However, Friday, 6th December 2024, which marks Farmers’ Day, remains a Statutory Public Holiday and will be observed as such throughout the country". The aforementioned announcement is due to the fact that, every election year, Farmers' Day is moved to the first Friday of November, while the associated public holiday remains on the first Friday of December, and is in line with the list of 2024 public holidays in Ghana, as announced in the "Statutory Public Holidays And Commemorative Days In The Republic Of Ghana For The Year 2024", released earlier this year. The general confusion about this mechanism, can cause the government to issue conflicting announcements about Farmer's Day, by separate ministries, as was the case in 2020 and 2016.
Kuwait Declares December 1st GCC Public Holiday Kuwait Civil Service Commission (Kuwait City) The Kuwaiti Civil Service Authority has announced that Sunday, December 1st, 2024, would be a public sector holiday on account of the 45th session of the Supreme Council of the Arab Cooperation Council for the Gulf (GCC) being held on that date. As per the aforementioned announcement, work will be suspended in ministries, public institutions and government entities. Recall that, as per a Kuwaiti Cabinet administrative decision of June 2007, Kuwaiti weekends were changed from Thursday and Friday to Friday and Saturday, beginning on September 1st, 2007.
Kuwait Declares December 1st GCC Public Holiday Kuwait Civil Service Commission (Kuwait City) The Kuwaiti Civil Service Authority has announced that Sunday, December 1st, 2024, would be a public sector holiday on account of the 45th session of the Supreme Council of the Arab Cooperation Council for the Gulf (GCC) being held on that date. As per the aforementioned announcement, work will be suspended in ministries, public institutions and government entities. Recall that, as per a Kuwaiti Cabinet administrative decision of June 2007, Kuwaiti weekends were changed from Thursday and Friday to Friday and Saturday, beginning on September 1st, 2007.
Qatar Declares November 6-7 Public Holidays Qatari News Agency (QNA) Qatar's Amiri Diwan has announced that Wednesday and Thursday, November 6-7, 2024, would be national public holidays "following an historic referendum vote in the country" and that "Employees will resume their work on Sunday, November 10, 2024". As usual, the Qatar Central Bank (QCB), banks, and financial institutions working under the supervision of QCB and Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), observe bank holidays dates as specified independently by the Governor of Qatar's Central Bank, which also announced that Wednesday and Thursday, November 6-7, 2024, would be bank holidays in Qatar ("Based on The Amiri Diwan announcement that in celebration of the national unity demonstration in the State of Qatar, represented by the general referendum on the draft constitutional amendments to the permanent constitution of the State of Qatar, it has been decided that Wednesday and Thursday, November 6 and 7, 2024, will be official holidays for all employees of financial institutions in the country. Provided that all financial institutions will reopen their doors to the public on Sunday 10th of November").
Qatar Declares November 6-7 Public Holidays Qatari News Agency (QNA) Qatar's Amiri Diwan has announced that Wednesday and Thursday, November 6-7, 2024, would be national public holidays "following an historic referendum vote in the country" and that "Employees will resume their work on Sunday, November 10, 2024". As usual, the Qatar Central Bank (QCB), banks, and financial institutions working under the supervision of QCB and Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), observe bank holidays dates as specified independently by the Governor of Qatar's Central Bank, which also announced that Wednesday and Thursday, November 6-7, 2024, would be bank holidays in Qatar ("Based on The Amiri Diwan announcement that in celebration of the national unity demonstration in the State of Qatar, represented by the general referendum on the draft constitutional amendments to the permanent constitution of the State of Qatar, it has been decided that Wednesday and Thursday, November 6 and 7, 2024, will be official holidays for all employees of financial institutions in the country. Provided that all financial institutions will reopen their doors to the public on Sunday 10th of November").
French Polynesia Swaps June 29 Public Holiday For Matāri'i Présidence de la Polynésie Française (Papeete) French Polynesia's Conseil des Ministres has announced that, contrary to last April's announcement, the new Matāri'i (Polynesian New Year) annual public holiday, set to be observed from 2025 onward, would not be observed annually on November 20, but rather on the last Friday of November of each year. Recall that, last spring, French Polynesia's Conseil des Ministres had approved the proposal by French Polynesia's Vice-President to replace the June 29 Autonomy Day public holiday, with a new Matāri'i (Polynesian New Year) annual public holiday on November 20. The month before, French Polynesia's vice-présidente et ministre en charge de la Culture, Éliane Tevahitua, had re-launched the idea to swap the June 29 public holiday for a new one, as "le 29 juin ne fait pas l’unanimité parmi les Polynésiens". A similar proposal, in 2005, had been rejected by the CESC (Conseil Economique, Social Et Culturel De La Polynésie Française), and this time the proposed replacement public holiday was to be inspired by Matariki (Maori New Year) which became a public holiday in New Zealand in 2022.
French Polynesia Swaps June 29 Public Holiday For Matāri'i Présidence de la Polynésie Française (Papeete) French Polynesia's Conseil des Ministres has announced that, contrary to last April's announcement, the new Matāri'i (Polynesian New Year) annual public holiday, set to be observed from 2025 onward, would not be observed annually on November 20, but rather on the last Friday of November of each year. Recall that, last spring, French Polynesia's Conseil des Ministres had approved the proposal by French Polynesia's Vice-President to replace the June 29 Autonomy Day public holiday, with a new Matāri'i (Polynesian New Year) annual public holiday on November 20. The month before, French Polynesia's vice-présidente et ministre en charge de la Culture, Éliane Tevahitua, had re-launched the idea to swap the June 29 public holiday for a new one, as "le 29 juin ne fait pas l’unanimité parmi les Polynésiens". A similar proposal, in 2005, had been rejected by the CESC (Conseil Economique, Social Et Culturel De La Polynésie Française), and this time the proposed replacement public holiday was to be inspired by Matariki (Maori New Year) which became a public holiday in New Zealand in 2022.
Jamaica Declares November 5 Public Sector Holiday Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Jamaica's Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, has declared tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, as a one-off public sector holiday as "inclement weather conditions across the island are expected to persist". As per the statement released by Jamaica House, "Public sector workers who are able to work remotely are encouraged to continue their duties online, utilising the digital tools and platforms provided by their respective ministries, departments, or agencies".
Jamaica Declares November 5 Public Sector Holiday Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Jamaica's Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, has declared tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, as a one-off public sector holiday as "inclement weather conditions across the island are expected to persist". As per the statement released by Jamaica House, "Public sector workers who are able to work remotely are encouraged to continue their duties online, utilising the digital tools and platforms provided by their respective ministries, departments, or agencies".
Karnataka 2025 Public Holidays Announced Government of Karnataka (Bengaluru) The Government of India's state of Karnataka has issued a vide notification announcing its annual list of non-working public holidays for the upcoming calendar year 2025. The list of 2025 public holidays in Karnataka comes a few weeks earlier that last year's vide notification No. DPAR 16 HHL2023 which contained the list of 2024 public holidays in Karnataka, and indeed of the announcements of the past few years which all came near the end of November.
Karnataka 2025 Public Holidays Announced Government of Karnataka (Bengaluru) The Government of India's state of Karnataka has issued a vide notification announcing its annual list of non-working public holidays for the upcoming calendar year 2025. The list of 2025 public holidays in Karnataka comes a few weeks earlier that last year's vide notification No. DPAR 16 HHL2023 which contained the list of 2024 public holidays in Karnataka, and indeed of the announcements of the past few years which all came near the end of November.
Philippines Declare November 4 National Day Of Mourning Philippine Information Agency (Manila) The Office of the President of the Philippines at Malacañang Palace has released Proclamation 728, signed by Executive Secretary, Lucas Bersamin, declaring a national day of mourning in honor of the lives lost and families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. That date will remain a working day in the Philippines. However, at the same time, Presidential Executive Secretary, Lucas Bersamin, had issued a raft of proclamations of upcoming local public holidays; Tanay, Rizal (Proclamation 725); Nov. 12 – Valenzuela City (Proclamation 711); Nov. 15 – Oriental Mindoro (Proclamation 712); Nov. 15 – Borongan City, Eastern Samar (Proclamation 726); Nov. 22 – Palayan City, Nueva Ecija (Proclamation 713); Nov. 22 – Itogon, Benguet (Proclamation 715); Nov. 22 – Tublay, Benguet (Proclamation 716); Nov. 23 – Benguet Province (Proclamation 717); Nov. 25 – Marasugan, Davao de Oro (Proclamation 718); Nov. 26 – Dasmariñas City, Cavite (Proclamation 719); Nov. 28 – Sarangani Province (Proclamation 720); Nov. 28 – Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte (Proclamation 721); and Dec. 5 – Palayan City, Nueva Ecija (Proclamation 714).
Philippines Declare November 4 National Day Of Mourning Philippine Information Agency (Manila) The Office of the President of the Philippines at Malacañang Palace has released Proclamation 728, signed by Executive Secretary, Lucas Bersamin, declaring a national day of mourning in honor of the lives lost and families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. That date will remain a working day in the Philippines. However, at the same time, Presidential Executive Secretary, Lucas Bersamin, had issued a raft of proclamations of upcoming local public holidays; Tanay, Rizal (Proclamation 725); Nov. 12 – Valenzuela City (Proclamation 711); Nov. 15 – Oriental Mindoro (Proclamation 712); Nov. 15 – Borongan City, Eastern Samar (Proclamation 726); Nov. 22 – Palayan City, Nueva Ecija (Proclamation 713); Nov. 22 – Itogon, Benguet (Proclamation 715); Nov. 22 – Tublay, Benguet (Proclamation 716); Nov. 23 – Benguet Province (Proclamation 717); Nov. 25 – Marasugan, Davao de Oro (Proclamation 718); Nov. 26 – Dasmariñas City, Cavite (Proclamation 719); Nov. 28 – Sarangani Province (Proclamation 720); Nov. 28 – Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte (Proclamation 721); and Dec. 5 – Palayan City, Nueva Ecija (Proclamation 714).
Uttar Pradesh Declares November 13 Public Holiday Government of Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) The Governor of India's state of Uttar Pradesh, in a Government Order issued by District Magistrate, Rakesh Kumar Singh, has declared Wednesday, November 13, 2024, as a public holiday in all Kanpur government offices, schools, and banks, on account of the upcoming by-election-2024 in Sisamau Assembly Constituency 213. Today's announcement is outside of the scope of the list of 2024 state public holidays contained in the Uttar Pradesh Government Order vide Notification Section No.528/ 3-2023-39(2)/ 2016 of last December, which only lists public holidays, restricted holidays and bank holidays that are observed at the national or statewide level.
Uttar Pradesh Declares November 13 Public Holiday Government of Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) The Governor of India's state of Uttar Pradesh, in a Government Order issued by District Magistrate, Rakesh Kumar Singh, has declared Wednesday, November 13, 2024, as a public holiday in all Kanpur government offices, schools, and banks, on account of the upcoming by-election-2024 in Sisamau Assembly Constituency 213. Today's announcement is outside of the scope of the list of 2024 state public holidays contained in the Uttar Pradesh Government Order vide Notification Section No.528/ 3-2023-39(2)/ 2016 of last December, which only lists public holidays, restricted holidays and bank holidays that are observed at the national or statewide level.
