2020 Holidays - Morocco

Morocco Public Holiday Observance Rules

1. Entitlement to Public Holidays

- Morocco recognizes 13 national public holidays annually, encompassing both civil and religious observances. Employees are generally entitled to a day off with regular pay on these days. Source

2. Working on Public Holidays

- If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are entitled to:

• Additional Compensation: An extra 100% of their basic daily wage, effectively doubling their pay for that day. Source
• Compensatory Rest: With mutual agreement, the employee may receive a compensatory paid day off added to their annual leave instead of the additional pay. Source

3. Holidays Coinciding with Weekly Rest Days

- When a public holiday coincides with an employee's weekly rest day (typically Sunday):

• No Additional Compensation or Time Off: If the public holiday is not worked, there is no entitlement to extra pay or an alternative day off. Source
• Worked Public Holidays: If the employee works on such a day, they are entitled to the standard compensation for working on a public holiday.

4. Recovery of Hours Lost Due to Public Holidays

- Employers, after consulting with employee representatives or the employees themselves, may arrange to make up for hours lost due to public holidays within 30 days following the holiday. This is subject to specific conditions, including:

• No Overtime Premium: The recovered hours are paid at the normal rate without additional overtime compensation.
• Daily Work Hour Limits: The total working hours should not exceed 10 hours per day during the recovery period.
• Notification: The labor inspector must be informed in advance of the arrangement.
• Exclusion of Weekly Rest Days: Recovery work should not be scheduled on weekly rest days. Source

5. Additional Notes

- Public Holidays During Paid Leave: If a public holiday occurs during an employee's paid annual leave, it is not deducted from their leave entitlement.

- Suspension of Employment Contract: Public holidays falling during periods when the employment contract is suspended (e.g., sick leave) do not entitle the employee to additional pay or compensatory time off.

- Company-Specific Practices: Some employers may offer additional days off or observe extended closures during certain public holidays, aligning with public sector practices or specific operational needs. Source

- Employers and employees are encouraged to consult the Labor Code of Morocco and any relevant collective agreements for detailed provisions related to public holidays and work schedules.