This year 9 August (National Women’s Day) falls on a Sunday. Therefore Monday, 10 August 2026, is also a public holiday. So, what must employees be paid?

The Court has held that where a public holiday falls on a Sunday the legislature intended that the Monday should be a public holiday in addition to the Sunday (See the interpretation of the Public Holidays Act in the Labour Appeal Court in the case of Randfontein Estates v NUM (case no. JA29/06 dated 15 November 2007.)

As both Sunday and Monday are regarded as public holidays, public holiday rates may come into play for both days. It depends on what days employees would ordinarily work in the particular establishment.

Scenario 1: Sunday is not a normal working day, but Monday is

(This scenario applies for most establishments, where employees ordinarily work Monday to Friday or Monday to Saturday.)

Pay for Sunday: If employees don’t work, they receive no pay. If employees work, they must be paid a day’s wage plus the amount earned for work on that day.

Pay for Monday: If employees don’t work, they must be paid the wage that they would ordinarily have received for work on that day. If employees work, they must be paid at least double the amount they would ordinarily have received for work on that day.

Scenario 2: Both Sunday and Monday are normal working days

Pay for Sunday and/or Monday: If employees don’t work, they receive the wage that they would ordinarily have received for work on that day (or those days). If employees work, they must be paid at least double the amount they would ordinarily have received for work on that day (or those days).

For further questions, you can email info@labourwise.co.za