2025 Holidays - Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Public Holiday Observance Rules

1. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday

- No automatic Monday replacement: In the DRC, there is no general rule shifting a Sunday public holiday to the following Monday. The holiday remains on its official date (Sunday).

- Employer discretion: Some employers may grant a day off in lieu or provide extra compensation, but it is not mandated by law.

- Holiday pay: Employees required to work on a Sunday public holiday are entitled to overtime pay or compensatory rest, in line with the labor code and their employment contracts.

2. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday

- No official shift: Public holidays landing on a Saturday remain on that date; there is no practice of moving them to another weekday.

- Usual practice: If employees typically work on Saturdays, they observe the holiday then. If Saturday is already a rest day, the holiday is simply recognized on the calendar date.

- Overtime or off-in-lieu: Employees who must work on a Saturday holiday receive additional pay or a day off in lieu, as per DRC labor regulations.

3. Bridge Holidays (Long Weekends)

- No formal bridging system: The DRC does not routinely create “bridge” days when a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday.

- Government decrees: The government can, on rare occasions, declare additional rest days around major national events or celebrations, but this is done on an ad hoc basis.

- Employer-based decisions: Some employers may voluntarily close for a long weekend, but there is no legal requirement to do so.

4. Special Cases for Public Holidays

- Religious holidays: The DRC observes several Christian holidays (e.g., Easter Monday, Christmas) and, to a lesser extent, Muslim holidays in certain regions. These remain on their exact dates, even if falling on a weekend.

- National commemorations: Key dates (e.g., Independence Day on 30 June) are celebrated on their official date, regardless of whether it falls on a weekend.

- Ad hoc holidays: Occasionally, the government may declare one-off public holidays (for significant events or state ceremonies). Any special observance instructions (such as weekend shifts) would be detailed in the official announcement if applicable.

5. Additional Notes

- Legal framework: Public holidays in the DRC are established by law or decree. Employers must respect these recognized dates.

- Advance announcements: The government typically announces the official holiday calendar each year. Any changes or extra holidays are communicated via government channels.

- Compensation: Employees who work on a public holiday (including weekends) must be given overtime pay (often at a higher rate) or compensatory time off, pursuant to the DRC labor code.

- Employer flexibility: Beyond legal obligations, employers may offer bridging days or extra benefits. However, these are voluntary and exceed statutory minimums.