Singaporeans can look forward to four long weekends in 2025, according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announcement on August 5. This provides a welcome opportunity for extended breaks throughout the year.
Calendar Highlights for Long Weekends
The first long weekend will be from March 29 to March 31, as Hari Raya Puasa falls on Monday, March 31. Following this, Good Friday on April 18 will also provide a long weekend, as it falls on a Friday. Additionally, both Vesak Day on May 12 and Deepavali on October 20 will occur on Mondays, offering more chances for extended leisure time.
Complete List of Public Holidays
The year 2025 will feature a total of 11 public holidays. The list begins with New Year’s Day on Wednesday, January 1, and includes Chinese New Year on January 29 and 30 (Wednesday and Thursday), Labour Day on Thursday, May 1, Hari Raya Haji on Saturday, June 7, National Day on Saturday, August 9, and Christmas Day on Thursday, December 25.
Employment Entitlements for Public Holidays
The Ministry of Manpower has confirmed that employees covered under the Employment Act will receive paid leave for all 11 public holidays. If employees are required to work on a public holiday, they are entitled to an additional day’s salary at their basic pay rate, along with their regular pay for the day.
Alternatively, employers and employees can agree to swap a public holiday with a working day or grant time off in lieu, with the number of hours determined by mutual agreement.
Flexible Work Arrangements
Employers have the flexibility to offer alternative arrangements, such as swapping public holidays with working days or providing time off in lieu for those working on public holidays. These options aim to accommodate both business needs and employee preferences, ensuring that employees can benefit from the public holidays while maintaining operational efficiency.
With these long weekends and flexible arrangements, employees in Singapore can anticipate a well-balanced year with opportunities to rest and recharge.
