worldwide public holidays news and updates of the past seven days
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Algeria Declares May 1st Public Holiday Direction Générale de la Fonction Publique (Algiers) The Algerian Direction générale de la Fonction publique et de la Réforme administrative et du ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Sécurité sociale has announced that Thursday, May 1st, 2025, had been declared a public holiday in Algeria to mark the upcoming Labor Day. As per the aforementioned announcement, "A l'occasion de la fête des travailleurs et conformément aux dispositions de la loi 63-278 du 26 juillet 1963 modifiée et complétée fixant la liste des fêtes légales, la journée du jeudi 1er mai 2025 est chômée et payée pour l'ensemble des personnels des institutions et administrations publiques et des établissements et offices publics et privés, ainsi que pour les personnels des entreprises publiques et privées, tous secteurs et statuts confondus, y compris les personnels payés à l'heure ou à la journée», indique un communiqué de la Direction générale de la fonction publique et de la réforme administrative").
Algeria Declares May 1st Public Holiday Direction Générale de la Fonction Publique (Algiers) The Algerian Direction générale de la Fonction publique et de la Réforme administrative et du ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Sécurité sociale has announced that Thursday, May 1st, 2025, had been declared a public holiday in Algeria to mark the upcoming Labor Day. As per the aforementioned announcement, "A l'occasion de la fête des travailleurs et conformément aux dispositions de la loi 63-278 du 26 juillet 1963 modifiée et complétée fixant la liste des fêtes légales, la journée du jeudi 1er mai 2025 est chômée et payée pour l'ensemble des personnels des institutions et administrations publiques et des établissements et offices publics et privés, ainsi que pour les personnels des entreprises publiques et privées, tous secteurs et statuts confondus, y compris les personnels payés à l'heure ou à la journée», indique un communiqué de la Direction générale de la fonction publique et de la réforme administrative").
Bahrain Bank Holiday May 1st Bahrain News Agency (BNA) Bahrain's Central Bank has published a circular declaring Thursday, May 1st, 2025, as a bank holiday in Bahrain. The aforementioned announcement, signed by the Central Bank's Director of the Banking Services Directorate, Hessa Saif Al Buflasa, reads as follows, "Please be advised that the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) will be closed during the Labour Day Holiday which will fall on Thursday 1st May 2025 and will resume operations on Sunday, 4th May 2025.".
Bahrain Bank Holiday May 1st Bahrain News Agency (BNA) Bahrain's Central Bank has published a circular declaring Thursday, May 1st, 2025, as a bank holiday in Bahrain. The aforementioned announcement, signed by the Central Bank's Director of the Banking Services Directorate, Hessa Saif Al Buflasa, reads as follows, "Please be advised that the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) will be closed during the Labour Day Holiday which will fall on Thursday 1st May 2025 and will resume operations on Sunday, 4th May 2025.".
Ghana Moves Ahead With And Renames July 1st Public Holiday Ghana News Agency (Accra) Ghana's President, John Dramani Mahama, has announced that July 1, traditionally observed as Republic Day, would now also be celebrated as Ghana’s National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving. Back in the summer of 2019, NDC had announced that it would restore the July 1st Republic Day public holiday if the NDC won the next general elections ("The NDC would want to assure all Ghanaians living everywhere that upon its assumption of office in January 2021, Republic Day will be accorded full recognition as one of the more important national days in our history"). And, last August, during the recent Presidential campaign, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, reiterated that if he won the December 7th presidential election, his administration would restore the July 1st public holiday that was canceled as per the 2018 amendments to the Public Holidays Act, which also canceled African Union Day, while adding new public holidays on January 7 (Constitution Day), and August 4 (Founders’ Day). This was reconfirmed in February when President John Dramani Mahama announced his plans to introduce amendments to the Public Holidays Act to restore July 1st as an annual public holiday to mark Republic Day ("I propose that this national day of prayer and thanksgiving should be held on first July, which is also a republic day, and also marks senior citizens day").
Ghana Moves Ahead With And Renames July 1st Public Holiday Ghana News Agency (Accra) Ghana's President, John Dramani Mahama, has announced that July 1, traditionally observed as Republic Day, would now also be celebrated as Ghana’s National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving. Back in the summer of 2019, NDC had announced that it would restore the July 1st Republic Day public holiday if the NDC won the next general elections ("The NDC would want to assure all Ghanaians living everywhere that upon its assumption of office in January 2021, Republic Day will be accorded full recognition as one of the more important national days in our history"). And, last August, during the recent Presidential campaign, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, reiterated that if he won the December 7th presidential election, his administration would restore the July 1st public holiday that was canceled as per the 2018 amendments to the Public Holidays Act, which also canceled African Union Day, while adding new public holidays on January 7 (Constitution Day), and August 4 (Founders’ Day). This was reconfirmed in February when President John Dramani Mahama announced his plans to introduce amendments to the Public Holidays Act to restore July 1st as an annual public holiday to mark Republic Day ("I propose that this national day of prayer and thanksgiving should be held on first July, which is also a republic day, and also marks senior citizens day").
Argentina Could Add April 21st Public Holiday Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina (Buenos Aires) Legislators from the Union for the Homeland party have introduced a bill to declare April 21 a new annual national public holiday, beginning in 2026, and to commemorate the date of the death of Argentina's first and only Pope to date. The last additions to the list of annual public holidays in Argentina came in 2011 when then President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, introduced legislation to restore the 2 days of Carnival as public holidays (they were canceled in 1976 by the military junta) and create a new national public holiday, on November 20, called the Día de la Soberanía Nacional.
Argentina Could Add April 21st Public Holiday Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina (Buenos Aires) Legislators from the Union for the Homeland party have introduced a bill to declare April 21 a new annual national public holiday, beginning in 2026, and to commemorate the date of the death of Argentina's first and only Pope to date. The last additions to the list of annual public holidays in Argentina came in 2011 when then President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, introduced legislation to restore the 2 days of Carnival as public holidays (they were canceled in 1976 by the military junta) and create a new national public holiday, on November 20, called the Día de la Soberanía Nacional.
Ghana Declares May 1st Public Holiday Ghana Government Portal (Accra) Ghana's Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has issued a press release announcing that "The general public is hereby reminded that Thursday, May 1, 2025, is a statutory public holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country.".
Ghana Declares May 1st Public Holiday Ghana Government Portal (Accra) Ghana's Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has issued a press release announcing that "The general public is hereby reminded that Thursday, May 1, 2025, is a statutory public holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country.".
Honduras' Cohep Grants May 1st Public Holiday El Heraldo (Tegucigalpa) The National Council of Private Enterprise of Honduras (Cohep), has announced the granting of a public holiday for Honduras' private sector on Thursday, May 1st, 2025, on account of the upcoming International Labor Day. As per the aforementioned announcement, made in accordance with article 339 of the current Labor Code, "The holiday corresponding to Labor Day will be enjoyed by workers on Thursday, May 1, 2025".
Honduras' Cohep Grants May 1st Public Holiday El Heraldo (Tegucigalpa) The National Council of Private Enterprise of Honduras (Cohep), has announced the granting of a public holiday for Honduras' private sector on Thursday, May 1st, 2025, on account of the upcoming International Labor Day. As per the aforementioned announcement, made in accordance with article 339 of the current Labor Code, "The holiday corresponding to Labor Day will be enjoyed by workers on Thursday, May 1, 2025".
Nicaragua Extends May Day Public Holidays Ministerio del Trabajo de Nicaragua (MITRAB) Nicaragua's Ministry of Labor (Mitrab) has announced that the Government of Nicaragua had declared Thursday, May 1st, 2025, a national public holiday for all workers in the public and private sectors, in the exercise of the powers conferred by Law No. 290, Ley de Organización, Competencia y procedimientos del Poder Ejecutivo, and article 66 of the Law No. 185 (Código del Trabajo). The aforementioned communiqué goes on to add that "In accordance with article 66, second paragraph of the Labor Code, a holiday is hereby declared for vacation pay for all state workers on Friday, May 2 of this year, returning to their normal duties on Monday, May 5, 2025. In the case of workers and employers in the private sector, they must comply with custom or what has been agreed between the parties.".
Nicaragua Extends May Day Public Holidays Ministerio del Trabajo de Nicaragua (MITRAB) Nicaragua's Ministry of Labor (Mitrab) has announced that the Government of Nicaragua had declared Thursday, May 1st, 2025, a national public holiday for all workers in the public and private sectors, in the exercise of the powers conferred by Law No. 290, Ley de Organización, Competencia y procedimientos del Poder Ejecutivo, and article 66 of the Law No. 185 (Código del Trabajo). The aforementioned communiqué goes on to add that "In accordance with article 66, second paragraph of the Labor Code, a holiday is hereby declared for vacation pay for all state workers on Friday, May 2 of this year, returning to their normal duties on Monday, May 5, 2025. In the case of workers and employers in the private sector, they must comply with custom or what has been agreed between the parties.".
Sierra Leone Declares April 27-28 Public Holidays State House Press Secretariat (Freetown) The Office of the President of Sierra Leone, State House, announced that Sunday, April 28, 2025, had been declared a public holiday in Sierra Leone to celebrate its 64th Independence Anniversary. As per the aforementioned announcement, "The General Public is hereby informed that the 64th Independence Anniversary of Sierra Leone will be observed on Sunday, 27th April 2025. Accordingly, Monday, 28th April 2025, will be a public holiday nationwide.".
Sierra Leone Declares April 27-28 Public Holidays State House Press Secretariat (Freetown) The Office of the President of Sierra Leone, State House, announced that Sunday, April 28, 2025, had been declared a public holiday in Sierra Leone to celebrate its 64th Independence Anniversary. As per the aforementioned announcement, "The General Public is hereby informed that the 64th Independence Anniversary of Sierra Leone will be observed on Sunday, 27th April 2025. Accordingly, Monday, 28th April 2025, will be a public holiday nationwide.".
Haryana Cancels April 30 Public Holiday For Akshaya Tritiya Government of Haryana (Chandigarh) The Government of India's state of Haryana has issued the vide notification No. 28/67/2008-1HR-I cancelling the April 30, 2025, public holiday for Akshaya Tritiya. As per the aforementioned notification, "In partial modification of the Government Notification issued vide even number dated 26.12.2024, it is hereby notified that the Gazetted holiday declared for Akshay Tritiya on 30th April, 2025, stands withdrawn because the same was written inadvertently.". The cancellation of Wednesday, April 30, 2025, public holiday for Akshaya Tritiya thus amends 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 calendar year 2025.
Haryana Cancels April 30 Public Holiday For Akshaya Tritiya Government of Haryana (Chandigarh) The Government of India's state of Haryana has issued the vide notification No. 28/67/2008-1HR-I cancelling the April 30, 2025, public holiday for Akshaya Tritiya. As per the aforementioned notification, "In partial modification of the Government Notification issued vide even number dated 26.12.2024, it is hereby notified that the Gazetted holiday declared for Akshay Tritiya on 30th April, 2025, stands withdrawn because the same was written inadvertently.". The cancellation of Wednesday, April 30, 2025, public holiday for Akshaya Tritiya thus amends 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 calendar year 2025.
Johor Declares April 28 JDT Public Holiday Bernama News Agency (Johor Baru) The government of the Malaysian state of Johor has declared Monday, April 28, 2025, as a public holiday to celebrate Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) reaching Saturday's Malaysia Cup final. In the summer of 2024, Johor State Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that, with the consent of the Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the government of the State of Johor had declared Sunday, August 25, 2024, as a one-off public holiday to honour Johor Darul Ta'zim's 12th football player (the fans) and to enable them to cheer for the JDT football club in the FA Cup final match. And, in December 2023, Johor State Secretary, Tan Sri Azmi Rohani, had similarly announced that Sunday, December 17, 2023, would be a one-off public holiday in Malaysia's state of Johor on account of the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) football team winning the Malaysia Cup the day before.
Johor Declares April 28 JDT Public Holiday Bernama News Agency (Johor Baru) The government of the Malaysian state of Johor has declared Monday, April 28, 2025, as a public holiday to celebrate Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) reaching Saturday's Malaysia Cup final. In the summer of 2024, Johor State Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that, with the consent of the Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the government of the State of Johor had declared Sunday, August 25, 2024, as a one-off public holiday to honour Johor Darul Ta'zim's 12th football player (the fans) and to enable them to cheer for the JDT football club in the FA Cup final match. And, in December 2023, Johor State Secretary, Tan Sri Azmi Rohani, had similarly announced that Sunday, December 17, 2023, would be a one-off public holiday in Malaysia's state of Johor on account of the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) football team winning the Malaysia Cup the day before.
South Korea Rules-Out May 2 Temporary Public Holiday Yonhap News Agency (Seoul) There South Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance has announced that there were no plans to declare Friday, May 2, 2025, as a temporary (bridge) public holiday to link the May 1st public holiday with the subsequent May 3-4 weekend and the ensuing May 5-6 public holidays for Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday. As per the aforementioned statement, "We have never reviewed the matter and have no plans to discuss it". Recall that, last January, the South Korean cabinet approved the declaration of Monday, January 27, 2025, as a temporary public holiday to link the then upcoming Seol-nal Lunar New Year holidays with the preceding weekend. Over the years, South Korea has declared bridge public holidays on a few occasions. In 2023, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared Monday, October 2, 2023, a bridge public holiday to link the end of the Chuseok public holidays with the subsequent National Foundation Day public holiday. In 2017, the Government of South Korea declared Monday, October 2, 2017, as a temporary public holiday to link the 2017 Chuseok South Korean public holiday with the preceding weekend. In 2015, the South Korean government declared Friday, August 14, 2015, the day before the National Liberation Day public holiday as a temporary public holiday due to the Liberation Day public holiday falling on a Saturday in 2015.
South Korea Rules-Out May 2 Temporary Public Holiday Yonhap News Agency (Seoul) There South Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance has announced that there were no plans to declare Friday, May 2, 2025, as a temporary (bridge) public holiday to link the May 1st public holiday with the subsequent May 3-4 weekend and the ensuing May 5-6 public holidays for Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday. As per the aforementioned statement, "We have never reviewed the matter and have no plans to discuss it". Recall that, last January, the South Korean cabinet approved the declaration of Monday, January 27, 2025, as a temporary public holiday to link the then upcoming Seol-nal Lunar New Year holidays with the preceding weekend. Over the years, South Korea has declared bridge public holidays on a few occasions. In 2023, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared Monday, October 2, 2023, a bridge public holiday to link the end of the Chuseok public holidays with the subsequent National Foundation Day public holiday. In 2017, the Government of South Korea declared Monday, October 2, 2017, as a temporary public holiday to link the 2017 Chuseok South Korean public holiday with the preceding weekend. In 2015, the South Korean government declared Friday, August 14, 2015, the day before the National Liberation Day public holiday as a temporary public holiday due to the Liberation Day public holiday falling on a Saturday in 2015.
South Sudan Declares April 25 Papal Mourning Public Holiday Government of South Sudan Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development (Juba) The Cabinet Minister of South Sudan, Martin Elia Lomurö, has announced that the national government had declared Friday, April 25, 2025, as a National Public Holiday to mourn his holiness Pope Francis who died on Easter Monday. Recall that, a couple of years ago, the Minister of Presidential Affairs of South Sudan, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, had announced that President Salva Kiir had declared Friday, February 3, 2023, as a one-off public holiday to coincide with the visit of Pope Francis to South Sudan.
South Sudan Declares April 25 Papal Mourning Public Holiday Government of South Sudan Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development (Juba) The Cabinet Minister of South Sudan, Martin Elia Lomurö, has announced that the national government had declared Friday, April 25, 2025, as a National Public Holiday to mourn his holiness Pope Francis who died on Easter Monday. Recall that, a couple of years ago, the Minister of Presidential Affairs of South Sudan, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, had announced that President Salva Kiir had declared Friday, February 3, 2023, as a one-off public holiday to coincide with the visit of Pope Francis to South Sudan.
Egypt Declares May 1st Bank Holiday The Central Bank of Egypt (Cairo) The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has announced bank holidays in Egypt for Thursday, May 1st, 2025, continuing on the following Friday and Saturday, "with work resuming on Sunday (4 May)". Today's announcement follows last weekend's decree by Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, declaring Thursday, May 1st, 2025, as a public holiday on account of the upcoming Labour Day.
Egypt Declares May 1st Bank Holiday The Central Bank of Egypt (Cairo) The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has announced bank holidays in Egypt for Thursday, May 1st, 2025, continuing on the following Friday and Saturday, "with work resuming on Sunday (4 May)". Today's announcement follows last weekend's decree by Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, declaring Thursday, May 1st, 2025, as a public holiday on account of the upcoming Labour Day.
Taiwan Executive To Implement Nationwide May 1st Public Holiday In 2026 Taiwan Central Personnel Administration (Taipei) Taiwanese Premier, Toh Jung-tai, has stated that there would be difficulties in making May 1st a nationwide public holiday in 2025, but that efforts will be made to implement it next year, in the context of the draft bill Regulations on the Implementation of Memorial Days and Holidays. Independently, the Legislative Yuan's Interior Affairs Committee stated that they no longer considered themselves bound by the past upper limit of 115 or 116 holidays per year. Last October, Taiwanese Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang had argued that extending the May Day public holiday to also include the Taiwanese public sector would not currently be possible because "the current holidays for anniversaries and holidays total 11 days, and after a total of two days of weekly holidays, it has reached the upper limit of the legislative resolution." adding that "The holidays are handled in accordance with the Regulations on the Implementation of Memorial Days and Holidays, which are mandated by the Ministry of the Interior and are valid regulations". In March 2024, Taiwanese Premier, Chen Chien-jen, had announced that she was open to making Labor Day a public holiday that is uniformly observed nationwide, but that some compensatory adjustment would be needed and the proposal received support from the All-China Federation of Teachers Unions and legislators from both the ruling and opposition parties. Since then, Taiwanese Government departments have been discussing the possibility of extending the scope of the May 1st public holiday, but Taiwan's Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang soon remarked that the total number of national holidays in Taiwan is fixed and regulated by legislative resolution. This past February, the All-China Federation of Teachers' Unions held a press conference with blue, green and white legislators, calling for the legalization of national holidays and the listing of May 1 Labor Day and September 28 Teachers' Day as national holidays. In June 2000, Taiwan moved to 2-day weekends and in compensation the number of vacation days in the whole year was limited to 115 to 116 days, although some, such as DPP legislator Lin Yijin, argue that "the Civil Service Act in 2022 has been amended in full. The original upper limit of 115 to 116 days was an incidental resolution. The original provision no longer exists, but the Executive Yuan is still complying with it".
Taiwan Executive To Implement Nationwide May 1st Public Holiday In 2026 Taiwan Central Personnel Administration (Taipei) Taiwanese Premier, Toh Jung-tai, has stated that there would be difficulties in making May 1st a nationwide public holiday in 2025, but that efforts will be made to implement it next year, in the context of the draft bill Regulations on the Implementation of Memorial Days and Holidays. Independently, the Legislative Yuan's Interior Affairs Committee stated that they no longer considered themselves bound by the past upper limit of 115 or 116 holidays per year. Last October, Taiwanese Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang had argued that extending the May Day public holiday to also include the Taiwanese public sector would not currently be possible because "the current holidays for anniversaries and holidays total 11 days, and after a total of two days of weekly holidays, it has reached the upper limit of the legislative resolution." adding that "The holidays are handled in accordance with the Regulations on the Implementation of Memorial Days and Holidays, which are mandated by the Ministry of the Interior and are valid regulations". In March 2024, Taiwanese Premier, Chen Chien-jen, had announced that she was open to making Labor Day a public holiday that is uniformly observed nationwide, but that some compensatory adjustment would be needed and the proposal received support from the All-China Federation of Teachers Unions and legislators from both the ruling and opposition parties. Since then, Taiwanese Government departments have been discussing the possibility of extending the scope of the May 1st public holiday, but Taiwan's Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang soon remarked that the total number of national holidays in Taiwan is fixed and regulated by legislative resolution. This past February, the All-China Federation of Teachers' Unions held a press conference with blue, green and white legislators, calling for the legalization of national holidays and the listing of May 1 Labor Day and September 28 Teachers' Day as national holidays. In June 2000, Taiwan moved to 2-day weekends and in compensation the number of vacation days in the whole year was limited to 115 to 116 days, although some, such as DPP legislator Lin Yijin, argue that "the Civil Service Act in 2022 has been amended in full. The original upper limit of 115 to 116 days was an incidental resolution. The original provision no longer exists, but the Executive Yuan is still complying with it".
Niger Declares April 24 Public Holiday Ministère de la Fonction Publique et du Travail du Niger (Niamey) Niger's ministre de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et de l'Emploi, Aissatou Abdoulaye Tondi, has issued a communiqué announcing a public holiday on Thursday, April 24, 2025, on account of the upcoming Journée de la Concorde. As per the aforementioned communique, "La ministre de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et de l’Emploi a l’honneur de rappeler aux employeurs et employés des secteurs public, parapublic et privé que conformément aux dispositions de la loi n°97-20 du 20 juin 1997, instituant les fêtes légales et les textes modificatifs subséquents, la journée du jeudi 24 avril 2025 correspondant à la journée de la Concorde, est déclarée fériée, chômée et payée sur toute l’étendue du territoire national.".
Niger Declares April 24 Public Holiday Ministère de la Fonction Publique et du Travail du Niger (Niamey) Niger's ministre de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et de l'Emploi, Aissatou Abdoulaye Tondi, has issued a communiqué announcing a public holiday on Thursday, April 24, 2025, on account of the upcoming Journée de la Concorde. As per the aforementioned communique, "La ministre de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et de l’Emploi a l’honneur de rappeler aux employeurs et employés des secteurs public, parapublic et privé que conformément aux dispositions de la loi n°97-20 du 20 juin 1997, instituant les fêtes légales et les textes modificatifs subséquents, la journée du jeudi 24 avril 2025 correspondant à la journée de la Concorde, est déclarée fériée, chômée et payée sur toute l’étendue du territoire national.".