27 December 2022 declared Public Holiday.

27 DECEMBER 2022
DECLARED PUBLIC HOLIDAY 

Dear employer

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared Tuesday, 27 December 2022, a public holiday. 

This is due to the fact that Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year. 

This declaration was made in terms of the Public Holidays Act (the Act), which provides that whenever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be a public holiday.

In this unique instance, the Monday following 25 December 2022 is another public holiday, Day of Goodwill. 

According to the Presidency, ‘If the holiday of Sunday, 25 December were to be moved to Monday, 26 December, this would cancel the holiday of 26 December or cause the two holidays – which are part of 12 paid public holidays annually – to overlap’. 

Effectively this would mean that workers would only have 11 paid public holidays this year, however, section 5 of the Act provides that “every employee shall be entitled to … at least the number of public holidays as provided for in this Act”, which is 12.

In view of the unique circumstances around the 2022 calendar, and to uphold relevant labour law principles and practices, the President has therefore declared Tuesday, 27 December 2022, a public holiday. 

Employers are advised to take note of the above as it also has implications to those employees who ordinarily work on the declared holiday and the amount they are entitled to be paid on the day. In terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, employees will be entitled to double their ordinary wage for the declared holiday. 

To view the official announcement, click here. 

For more information:
NEASA Media Department
media@neasa.co.za