Algiers, Algeria – The Algerian government has officially declared Monday, January 12, 2026, as a paid holiday across the entire national territory in celebration of the Amazigh New Year, known as Yennayer.
A joint statement released Thursday by the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security, along with the General Directorate of Public Service and Administrative Reform, confirmed the decision. The statement specified that this measure is in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 63-278, dated July 26, 1963, which outlines the list of legal holidays, as amended and supplemented.
The holiday encompasses all employees in public administrations and institutions, public and private bodies and offices, as well as workers in public and private enterprises across various sectors, regardless of their fundamental legal status, including daily and hourly wage earners.
Authorities have emphasized the need to implement organizational measures to ensure the continuity of public service in departments that operate on a rotating schedule. This is to guarantee the uninterrupted operation of vital facilities and services.
The annual recognition of Yennayer with a paid holiday underscores the acknowledgment of Algeria’s cultural dimension and national identity. It solidifies the celebration of the Amazigh New Year as a unifying and official occasion throughout Algeria. This decision reinforces the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting Algeria’s rich cultural heritage.
