Public Holidays

By Sam Banda Jnr

• It is important for every employee to be aware of public holidays. Public holidays can give employees a much-needed rest, while for others it can supply them with an extra allowance. 

• Employees have the right not to work on public holidays if they will not be paid anything, but in most cases there is an agreement between employees and employers.

• It is not compulsory for an employee to work on a public holiday and it is important for employees to note that if they work on a public holiday they  must be paid for the hours worked. Employees working on a public holiday are normally paid double the hourly rate of earnings multiplied by the number of hours worked.

• In most shops, banks and hospitals in Malawi employees work on public holidays. In Malawi employees need to be aware of the following holidays:

1 January – New Year, 15 January – Chilembwe Day, 3 March – Marty’s Day, 2 April – Good Friday, 5 April – Easter Monday, 3 May – Labour Day, 14 May – Kamuzu Day 6 July Independence Day, 15 October – Mothers Day and 25 December – Christmas Day.