Public Holidays in Zambia

Find out about public holidays in Zambia, including who is entitled to take these holidays, who is paid for these holidays, how much they are paid, and which dates the holidays fall on.

Who is entitled to Public Holidays in Zambia?

On any day officially designated as a paid public holiday, every employee is entitled to a day off with full pay. However, this entitlement is subject to the condition that the employee must not have been absent from work - without the prior permission of their employer or a valid and reasonable excuse - on either the working day immediately before or the working day immediately after the public holiday.

Employees are also entitled to fully paid leave during designated festival holidays, including public and religious holidays. These encompass memorial holidays as well as religious observances, including those of Christian origin.

What compensation is received on Public Holidays in Zambia?

For an employee to receive full pay on a public holiday, they must ensure that they do not miss work without their employer’s authorisation or a legitimate reason on the day preceding or following the holiday. The compensation an employee receives for a public holiday includes their basic salary, the monetary equivalent of any meals that are customarily provided, and any applicable work-related allowances, up to a maximum of one month. However, this does not extend to payments received as part of a bonus.

When are Zambia’s public holidays?

What if an employee works on a public holiday?

The law clearly states that any work performed on a public holiday must be based strictly on a mutual agreement between the employer and the employee. An employee who works on a paid public holiday or on a Sunday where a Sunday does not form a part of the normal working week shall be paid at double the employee's hourly rate of pay.

Is public holiday leave the same as annual leave in Zambia?

No. Full-time workers are entitled to at least two days of annual leave/paid holidays for one month of service. The total annual leave is 24 calendar days per year and is independent of weekly rest days and public holidays.

Conclusion

It is important for both employees and employers to know about the labour laws that govern public holidays in Zambia, as well as compensation.