Public notice: Calculating pay for work done on a public holiday

In light of January 4 and 5 being declared Public Holidays under the Public Holidays Act Cap. 352, the Labour Department has advised employers and employees of the following:

• Persons who are employed under the terms of the Shops Act, Cap. 356A, must be paid no less than twice their ordinary rate of pay if they perform duties on a Public Holiday.
• There is no law which specifies the rate of pay for persons who work on a public holiday but are not engaged under the Shops Act. However, some workplaces use the principle of double-time as set out in the Shops Act as a guide and apply that rate. Workplace custom and practice, contracts of employment, and any existing collective agreements must also be examined to determine whether there are any stipulations on the rate of pay for work done on a Public Holiday. (BGIS)