Egypt private sector to take 29 January paid holiday for 25 January Revolution, Police Day

Ahram Online , Tuesday 20 Jan 2026

Egypt has designated Thursday, 29 January, as a paid holiday for private sector employees to mark the 25 January Revolution and Police Day, Minister of Labour Mohamed Gobran announced, according to a cabinet statement on Tuesday.

File Photo: Egyptian Ministry of labour building. Photo courtesy of Ministry of labour.

According to the statement, employees required to work on this day are entitled to their regular pay plus double compensation, or an alternative day off, provided they submit a written request in line with the law.

The decision reflects the state’s commitment to balancing work requirements with employees’ rights, while standardizing official holiday dates where possible to serve the public interest and maintain smooth work and production operations.

The ministry stressed that all relevant authorities are responsible for implementing the decision, disseminating it through official labour and production channels, and reminding employers to comply fully with its provisions.

Similarly, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly designated Thursday, 29 January, as a paid public holiday, replacing Sunday, 25 January, the official anniversary date.

Since 2020, Egypt has allowed an alternative day off for official holidays that fall midweek to provide citizens with a longer weekend, excluding Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, and Christmas.

The upcoming holiday marks the 15th anniversary of the 25 January Revolution, as well as the 74th anniversary of Police Day, which commemorates the 50 Egyptian policemen killed by British occupation forces in Ismailia in 1952.