Taiwan Celebrates! New Law Grants More National Holidays

Boosting Leisure Time and Recognizing Cultural Heritage

Taipei, May 9 - The Legislative Yuan in Taiwan has enacted a landmark law, bringing a wave of excitement to the island. The new legislation introduces four additional national holidays and expands Labor Day benefits to include public sector employees.

The newly recognized holidays celebrate key moments in Taiwan's history and culture. These include the day before Lunar New Year's Eve, Confucius' Birthday on September 28 (also recognized as Teachers' Day), Taiwan Retrocession Day and the anniversary of the Battle of Guningtou on October 25, and Constitution Day on December 25.

Furthermore, the "Act on the Implementation of Commemorative and Festival Holidays" now ensures that Labor Day benefits extend to all sectors, encompassing both private and public sector workers. This change promises a more inclusive holiday experience for everyone in Taiwan.

This law replaces existing regulations overseen by the Ministry of the Interior, shaping the holiday landscape of Taiwan.

The designation of the day before Lunar New Year's Eve as a national holiday lengthens the Lunar New Year break to five national holidays. When weekends are considered, this period could last at least seven days.

In a significant move, the new law empowers Indigenous tribes. Instead of the Council of Indigenous Peoples designating a single day off for traditional festivals, tribes can now observe three days off, aligning with their rituals and practices.

The legislation is poised to come into effect upon presidential promulgation. This means residents of Taiwan may anticipate three additional holidays in the latter half of this year, specifically on September 28, October 25, and December 25.

A draft proposal for these holiday regulations was initially approved by the Legislature's Internal Administration Committee on March 31. The path to this law was not without challenges. Lawmakers, representing various political viewpoints, found it difficult to agree on which specific dates deserved recognition as public holidays.

Cross-party negotiations held on April 30 and May 8 failed to produce an agreement.

Ultimately, on Friday, the Kuomintang and the Taiwan People's Party, leveraging their majority, successfully passed the bill they proposed, securing a vote of 57-50 on the legislative floor.