The Employment (Amendment) Ordinance was gazetted today.

Under the amendment, the number of statutory holidays will progressively increase from the existing 12 days to 17 days to align with that of general holidays.

The five additional statutory holidays will take effect in the following sequence: the Birthday of the Buddha from January 1, 2022; the first weekday after Christmas Day from January 1, 2024; Easter Monday from January 1, 2026; Good Friday from January 1, 2028 and the day following Good Friday from January 1, 2030.                                

The Labour Department reminded employers and employees that other provisions on statutory holidays under the Employment Ordinance, including the arrangement for granting/taking of statutory holidays, the eligibility for statutory holiday pay, the rate of statutory holiday pay, and the restrictions on pay in lieu of holiday, will remain unchanged.