Ithabeleng Qhasho
PUBLIC holidays falling on weekends will soon be observed during weekdays after the Senate endorsed the Public Holidays Bill, 2026, recommending that it be passed into law.
The Senate Legislation Committee, which considered the Bill after it was referred to it on 27 May 2026, on Thursday recommended that the House pass the proposed legislation and make it law.
It will now go back to the National Assembly for it to enact it into law.
The Bill seeks to repeal the Public Holidays Act, 1995, and introduce a new framework for the observance of public holidays.
The proposed provision states that a holiday falling on a Saturday or Sunday should be observed on the following Monday.
“The Ministry further outlined to the Committee that in order to ensure that the public as a whole, workers included, is accorded undisturbed enjoyment and observance of public holidays as provided for the Public Holiday Bill, a holiday that falls on a Saturday, or a Sundays shall be observed on a Monday.”
The Bill further provides that where the Monday is itself a public holiday, the holiday should be observed on the following available day.
“If that Monday is also a public holiday then the holiday shall be observed on a day which follow that Monday.”
The Committee’s recommendation is that the Bill be passed and become law.
“That the Bill be passed by the House and become a law.”
Among other changes, the proposed legislation would introduce an additional public holiday — National Tree Planting Day on 21 March.
It further proposes penalties for employers who contravene its provisions, including fines and imprisonment.
An employer who violates the proposed Act could, upon conviction, face a fine of up to M10 000 or imprisonment for up to three months, or both. A repeat offence would attract a fine of up to M20 000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
Where the offence is committed by a corporate body, the director could face a fine of up to M30 000, rising to M60 000 for a repeat offence.
The Committee also proposed amendments to the Bill, including adding 12 March to the list of public holidays. It said the day should commemorate the date on which Britain pledged to protect Lesotho against its enemies.
On 12 March 1868, Britain formally declared Basutoland (Lesotho) a British protectorate through Proclamation No. 14. The move followed repeated appeals by King Moshoeshoe I for British military protection against Boer forces from the Orange Free State during the Free State–Basotho Wars.
The Committee also raised concerns over some provisions, including the proposal concerning Sunday as a non-business day and the Bill’s focus on employers in relation to contraventions.
It observed that learning institutions could also contravene the proposed legislation and should therefore not be overlooked.
Despite these concerns, the Committee concluded by recommending adoption of its report and passage of the Bill.