Public Holidays

Public Holidays in South Africa and the labour laws which include Work on Public Holidays, Dates of Holidays, Overtime Wage Rate on Public Holidays in South Africa

Has your boss asked you to work on a public holiday? Are you going to be paid extra for this? Know your rights.

To Work or Not to Work?

  • Work on a public holiday is entirely voluntary and a worker (including domestic workers) may not be forced to work on such public holiday. The official public holidays are: New Years Day, Youth Day, Human Rights Day, National Woman’s Day, Good Friday, Heritage Day, Family Day, Day of Reconciliation, Freedom Day, Christmas Day, Workers Day, Day of Goodwill.
  • A public holiday can be exchanged with another day by agreement.
  • A public holiday cannot be counted as annual leave. 
Must I get paid for work on Public Holidays?
 
  • Workers must get paid time off for any public holiday that falls on a working day.
  • Working on a public holiday is by agreement only.
  • Workers must be paid extra for working on a public holiday, usually double the normal daily rate. 

The provisions for Public Holidays do not apply to:

  • Senior management.
  • Sales staff who travel.
  • Workers who work less than 24 hours a month.

Read more

Are you sure what you are entitled to, in terms of your Contract?

Find out all about state Minimum Wages for all official sectors.


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