2020 Holidays - Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde Public Holiday Observance Rules

1. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday

- No automatic Monday replacement: In Cabo Verde, public holidays are observed on their calendar dates. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, there is generally no shift to Monday.

- Employer discretion: Some employers or institutions might offer a day off in lieu, but this is not mandated by law.

- Holiday work compensation: Employees who must work on a Sunday public holiday are typically entitled to extra pay or compensatory time off, as stipulated by employment contracts and labor laws.

2. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday

- No official shift: Similar to Sundays, there is no legal provision to move a Saturday holiday to another weekday.

- Usual practice: If employees do not usually work on Saturdays, the holiday simply takes place on that day. If they do work, weekend or holiday pay rules apply.

- Overtime or off-in-lieu: Employees required to work on a Saturday holiday should receive overtime pay or a day off in lieu, according to national labor regulations.

3. Bridge Holidays (Long Weekends)

- No formal bridging system: Cabo Verde does not have a statutory rule granting an extra day off when a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday.

- Occasional government decisions: The government may sometimes declare additional rest days around major events or festivals, but this is done on an ad hoc basis.

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

4. Special Cases for Public Holidays

- Religious holidays: Christian and other religious holidays (e.g., Easter, Christmas) are celebrated on their fixed dates. If they fall on a weekend, no mandatory weekday replacement is given.

- National commemorations: Important days like Independence Day (July 5) or National Heroes’ Day (January 20) are observed on their calendar dates, without shifting if they land on Saturday or Sunday.

- Ad hoc holidays: Occasionally, the government may announce additional one-off holidays for significant national occasions; these typically follow the same “date-specific” observance.

5. Additional Notes

- Legal framework: Cabo Verde’s public holidays are governed by national legislation and decrees.

- Advance announcements: Official holiday dates are often published at the start of the year; changes or additional holidays (if any) are announced by government decree.

- Work on holidays: Employees who work on an official holiday must receive extra pay or compensatory leave, per local labor laws.

- Employer flexibility: Beyond the statutory rules, employers may choose to offer more generous holiday policies or shifts in observance.