Minister of Labor: Eid al-Fitr Holiday for Private Sector Employees from March 19 to 23

Minister of Labor Hassan Radad announced today, Thursday, the issuance of Circular No. (9) of 2026 regarding granting employees covered by the provisions of Labor Law No. 14 of 2025 an official paid holiday for Eid al-Fitr, starting from Thursday, March 19, 2026, until Monday, March 23, 2026.

He confirmed that employers may require employees to work during this holiday if work circumstances necessitate it. In this case, the employee is entitled to double their regular pay for that day, in addition to their regular pay, or to be granted another day off in lieu of work, in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Law.

The Minister explained that this decision comes in implementation of Article (129) of the Labor Law, which stipulates the right of private sector employees to receive paid leave on holidays, festivals, and occasions designated by a decision of the Minister of Labor.

This also comes in light of the issuance of Prime Minister’s Decree No. (785) of 2026, which stipulated that the period from Thursday, March 19, 2026 until Monday, March 23, 2026, shall be an official paid holiday for employees in ministries, government departments, public authorities, local administration units, public sector companies, and public business sector companies, on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. It also comes within the framework of keenness to unify the dates of official holidays for all employees in the various state sectors whenever possible, in order to achieve the social and national goal of official holidays on holidays and occasions.