Samoan Public Holidays Confirmed for Easter and General Elections

The government of Samoa has issued a notice covering a series of public holidays at the start of April 2021.

The normal Easter holidays will be followed at the end of the first week of April with two days of holiday for the General Elections on Friday April 9th 2021.

“Public, business, communities, shop owners, employers, and workers are hereby advised that 2, 3, and 5 of March are to be treated as Easter holidays,” the MCIL notices states.

“Shops selling goods may open during public holidays according to the provisions of the Public Holidays Act 2008”.

The Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour reminds employers to comply with Section 39 of the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013 which highlights the rate of wages to be paid to employees who work on Public Holidays.

In relation to the public holidays set aside for elections, MCIL reminds the public of their legal responsibility to cast their votes.

“It is the duty of all registered voters to cast their votes during the general election in accordance to the Electoral Act 2019.”

Public holidays in Samoa in 2021