Taiwanese to enjoy 115 days off work in 2024

Taipei, Jan. 1 (CNA) New Year's Day on Monday is the first public holiday observed in Taiwan to mark the founding of the Republic of China in 1912, with most workers scheduled to enjoy 115 days off work this year.

That number includes public holidays and all Saturdays and Sundays except for one weekend day in February scheduled as a make-up work day, according to the 2024 calendar published last year by the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration.

While the list of holidays is issued for government agencies and state-run entities, it is also commonly observed by the private sector, including banks and most companies, as well as schools.

The list does not include Labor Day on May 1, when workers get a day off under the Labor Standards Act, or Armed Forces Day on Sept. 3 for military personnel.

On Labor Day, banks and financial markets are closed, but government offices and the postal service remain open.

Following New Year's Day, the next public holiday in Taiwan will be the week-long Lunar New Year holiday on Feb. 8-14, but Feb. 17 will be a work day when government offices and banks open on a Saturday.

Other public holidays include Feb. 28 Peace Memorial Day, a four-day holiday on April 4-7 to mark Children's Day and Tomb Sweeping Day, as well as the Dragon Boat Festival long weekend that will take place on June 8-10.

During the second half of 2024, there are only two public holidays -- the Mid-Autumn Festival which falls on Sept. 17 and Oct. 10 National Day, according to the government-published calendar.