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The Labour Department reminds the public that since Lunar New Year's Day in 2013 (i.e. February 10) falls on a Sunday, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year (i.e. February 13) will be designated as a statutory holiday in substitution according to the Employment Ordinance.
A spokesperson of the Labour Department said, "Under the existing Employment Ordinance, when either Lunar New Year's Day, the second day of the Lunar New Year or the third day of Lunar New Year falls on a Sunday, the fourth day of Lunar New Year is designated as a statutory holiday in substitution. As Lunar New Year's Day in 2013 falls on a Sunday, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year is designated as a statutory holiday accordingly."
The spokesperson added that if an employer requires an employee to work on a statutory holiday, he should arrange for an alternative holiday to be taken by the employee within 60 days before or after the statutory holiday as stipulated by the Employment Ordinance. Moreover, not less than 48 hours' prior notice should be given to the employee. If the employer and employee agree, any day within 30 days before or after the statutory or alternative holiday may be arranged as a substituted holiday.
To assist employers, employees and the public in understanding the substitution arrangement, the Labour Department has published a leaflet titled "Substitution Arrangement for Statutory Holiday of Lunar New Year 2013". More information relating to statutory holidays is also available in "A Concise Guide to the Employment Ordinance" published by the Labour Department. The leaflet and the concise guide can be obtained from the branch offices of the department's Labour Relations Division and the Home Affairs Department's district offices, or downloaded from the department's website (www.labour.gov.hk). For further information, employers and employees may call 2717 1771 (handled by the 1823 Call Centre) or approach the branch offices of the Labour Relations Division.
Ends/Monday, November 5, 2012
Issued at HKT 11:34
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