Private-sector employees in Egypt to take 4-day Eid Al-Fitr holiday

Ahram Online , Tuesday 25 Mar 2025

Minister of Labour Mohamed Gobran announced that private-sector employees will take a four-day paid holiday for Eid Al-Fitr, matching the break granted to public-sector employees.

An Egyptian girl smiles and waits to catch balloons, distributed after Eid al-Fitr prayers Egyptians celebrate and try to catch balloons released after Eid al-Fitr prayers An Egyptian man throws balloons to the crowd. AFP

Gobran issued a circular on Tuesday specifying that the holiday will run from Saturday, 29 March, to Tuesday, 1 April.

He pointed out that it could also be extended to Wednesday, 2 April, depending on the sighting of the crescent, which determines the start of the Islamic feast.

The announcement follows controversy after an earlier statement from the ministry indicated that private-sector workers would only take a two-day holiday, a departure from customary practice in recent years.

Gobran's updated circular states that the government seeks "to unify official holiday dates for all employees in various government sectors—whenever possible—to achieve the social and national purpose of official holidays. "

He added that employers can require staff to work during the holiday if necessary but must pay them double their regular daily wage as per labour law.

Under Article 52 of Egypt's Labour Law, the labour minister can determine paid holidays for private sector workers during official holidays.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly issued a decree on Sunday, granting a four-day paid holiday for public employees from Saturday, 29 March, to Tuesday, 1 April.

Separately, Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Abdel-Latif announced a week-long Eid holiday for schools nationwide, from Saturday, 29 March, to Friday, 4 April.

Eid Al-Fitr, a three-day feast in the Islamic calendar, marks the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan.

Its commencement is determined by the sighting of the Shawwal crescent, the month following Ramadan, after sunset on the 29th day of Ramadan.

The Islamic Hijri calendar depends on the movement of the moon. Months consist of either 29 or 30 days, depending on sightings of the crescent.

Astronomical calculations suggest that Eid Al-Fitr will begin on Sunday, 30 March, in Egypt and other Arab countries.

However, Dar Al-Ifta will issue the official declaration in Egypt upon confirmation of the moon's sighting after Maghrib prayers on Saturday.

Ahram Online wishes all of its readers happy holidays.