2025 Holidays - Cambodia

Cambodia Public Holiday Observance Rules

1. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday

- No automatic Monday replacement: Cambodia does not universally shift a Sunday public holiday to the following Monday by default.

- Employer or Sub-Decree discretion: Some employers or specific yearly government sub-decrees may allow or direct that Monday be observed in lieu of Sunday, but this is not a blanket legal requirement every year.

- Holiday work compensation: If employees are required to work on a Sunday holiday (or any substitute day an employer grants), they are entitled to overtime pay or compensatory leave in accordance with Cambodian labor laws.

2. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday

- No official shift: If a holiday falls on a Saturday, it remains on Saturday. There is no universal rule moving it to another day.

- Weekend work: Many businesses in Cambodia operate on Saturdays. Employees working on a Saturday holiday should receive premium pay or time off in lieu as stipulated by labor regulations.

3. Bridge Holidays (Long Weekends)

- No automatic bridging: There is no legal requirement to grant an extra day off when a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday.

- Government sub-decrees: The Royal Government may occasionally release a sub-decree adjusting holiday dates or granting extra days off, but this is done on a case-by-case basis.

- Employer choice: Some employers may voluntarily close for a long weekend, though not required by law.

4. Special Cases for Public Holidays

- Major festivities: Holidays like Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben, and Water Festival often span multiple days. These dates are determined by tradition or annual government decree. If any such date falls on a weekend, there is no automatic shift to a weekday unless specifically indicated by that year’s sub-decree or employer decision.

- Buddhist holy days: Observances like Visak Bochea and Meak Bochea follow the lunar calendar. Their exact dates (and any potential shift) are set in the annual holiday schedule.

- Ad hoc holidays: Extra public holidays may be declared for royal ceremonies or significant national events. Any shift to Monday (if they fall on Sunday) depends on the specific government announcement, not a general rule.

5. Additional Notes

- Legal framework: Cambodia’s public holidays are governed by yearly sub-decrees issued by the Royal Government and enforced by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.

- Annual announcements: The official holiday calendar is typically published each year, detailing each holiday’s date and any specific instructions about weekend shifts.

- Work on public holidays: Employees working on a public holiday must be paid at least double the normal rate or receive equivalent time off, pursuant to Cambodian labor laws.

- Employer-based flexibility: Beyond the yearly sub-decrees, individual employers can choose to be more generous with holiday-in-lieu arrangements or bridging.