Introduction

On 16 July 2021, the Government gazetted the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (“Amendment Ordinance”), increasing the number of statutory holidays from 12 days to 17 days. The amendments bring the statutory holiday entitlements under the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57) (“EO”) in line with the General Holidays Ordinance (Cap. 149).

Timetable

Pursuant to the Amendment Ordinance, the timetable for the five additional statutory holidays to take effect is as follows:

1. The Birthday of the Buddha, effective from 1 January 2022;
2. The first weekday after Christmas Day, effective from 1 January 2024;
   
3. Easter Monday, effective from 1 January 2026;
   
4. Good Friday, effective from 1 January 2028; and
   
5. The day following Good Friday, effective from 1 January 2030.
   

Meanwhile, other provisions relating to statutory holidays under the EO will remain unchanged, such as provisions on eligibility for statutory holiday pay, rate of statutory holiday pay and restrictions on payment in lieu of holiday.

Implications

Employers should keep track of the above timetable and review their internal holiday policies from time to time, so as to effect any necessary changes in a timely manner. Further, the amount of statutory holiday pay payable on each additional statutory holiday should be in line with the rate of statutory holiday pay prescribed by the EO. Employers are also reminded to review their calculation methods in advance and plan ahead.