2020 Holidays - Algeria

Algeria Public Holiday Observance Rules

1. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend

- Algeria follows an official weekend of Friday and Saturday.

- If a public holiday falls on Friday, there is no substitute holiday as Friday is already a non-working day.

- If a public holiday falls on Saturday, there is no official rule to provide a substitute holiday on Sunday or Monday. However, some businesses and institutions may grant an additional day off.

2. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday

- No official substitution is provided if the holiday falls on a Saturday.

- Certain public and private sector employers may compensate employees with an additional day off, but this is not mandatory.

3. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Friday

- Since Friday is already a weekend day in Algeria, public holidays that fall on a Friday are not moved to another day.

- The holiday is observed as usual, but there is no additional day off granted.

4. Bridge Holidays (Long Weekends)

- Algeria does not have a formal bridge holiday system.

- However, during major holidays like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Independence Day, the government may declare additional rest days, extending the break to create a long weekend.

- Many private companies may allow employees to take an additional day off if a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, creating a four-day weekend.

5. Special Cases for Public Holidays

- Religious Holidays (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, Mawlid): Dates shift annually based on the Islamic lunar calendar, and the government announces the exact holiday duration close to the event.

- Independence Day (July 5th) and Revolution Day (November 1st): If these fall on a weekend, there is no official rule for moving the holiday.

- International Workers’ Day (May 1st): This is a recognized public holiday, but if it falls on a weekend, there is no guaranteed substitute day off.

6. Additional Notes

- Government offices follow the official Friday-Saturday weekend, but some international companies operating in Algeria follow a Saturday-Sunday workweek.

- The Algerian government announces public holidays annually, sometimes adjusting dates based on national or religious considerations.

- Employees working on a public holiday are typically entitled to additional compensation, either in the form of extra pay or a compensatory day off.

- Private sector observance may vary, with some businesses choosing to provide time off for unofficial holidays.