Government designates January 14 paid national holiday for Amazigh New Year

The government designated January 14 as a national holiday across all sectors to commemorate the Amazigh New Year during

During its weekly meeting today, the government endorsed a proposed decree presented by the ministry overseeing digital transition. This decree delineates the list of holidays warranting wage payments in various sectors, including industrial and commercial enterprises, liberal professions, as well as agricultural and forestry endeavors.

The newly drafted Decree No. 2.23.1000, an amendment to Decree No. 2.04.426 issued in December 2004, specifically designates January 14 as the official date for the Amazigh New Year celebration.

January 14 has been established as an official holiday entitling employees to receive wages in both agricultural and non-agricultural occupations.

This decision elevates the total number of paid holidays in Morocco to thirteen days per year.

The formulation of this draft decree aligns with the directive to recognize the Amazigh New Year as a paid national holiday in Morocco, in accordance with the stipulations of Article 217 within Law No. 65.99, pertaining to the Labor Code.

In May, King Mohammed VI declared the Amazigh New Year an official holiday in Morocco, aligning its significance with Fatih Muharram for the Hijra and New Year celebrations. The King directed the Prime Minister to implement this decision, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the Amazigh heritage alongside Arabic as an official language, in line with the country’s constitutional framework.