Buddha’s Birthday to become statutory holiday if bill is passed

Next year’s Buddha’s Birthday will be the first new statutory holiday to be introduced if the bill allowing government to increase the number of holidays is passed, according to Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung. 

Cheung said on social media that the increase in statutory holidays depends on the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021 submitted by the government, which is now being reviewed by the Legislative Council. 

If the bill is passed, the government will increase the number of statutory holidays from 12 to 17, on par with banking holidays other than Sundays. 

Cheung described the addition as a milestone in labour welfare, with over millions of workers in the city to be benefited. 

The bill plans to introduce five statutory holidays, starting with the Buddha’s Birthday, followed by the first Sunday after Christmas, Easter Monday, Good Friday and the day following good Friday.