Government of Timor-Leste

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

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Press Release

Day off on March 28th, 2024, all day

Given that Article 7(2)(a) of Law no. 10/2005, of August 10^th, as amended by Laws no. 3/2016, of May 25^th, and 10/2023, of April 5^th, provides that day off may be granted on the occasion of an official commemorative date;

Given that according to Article 5(2)(b) of Law no. 10/2005, of August 10^th, as amended by Laws no. 3/2016, of May 25^th, and 10/2023, of April 5^th, “Holy Thursday, as part of the Christian commemorations of Easter” is an official commemorative date with a variable date;

Given that, this year, Good Friday and Easter fall on March 29^th and 31^st, respectively;

Given that the religious celebrations of “Maundy Thursday” are of great importance and significance to a large number of Christians, who usually take part in the religious ceremonies that take place on the occasion of Easter;

Given the practice that has been followed previously, by virtue of Article 5(2)(b) of the aforementioned law;

Given that according to the provisions of Article 7(6)(d) of Law no. 10/2005, of August 10^th, as amended by Laws no. 3/2016, of May 25^th, and 10/2023, of April 5^th, it is the Prime Minister's responsibility to grant a day off to “officials and agents of the ministries or services dependent on them, as well as institutes and bodies integrated into the indirect administration of the State”;

Therefore, pursuant to Article 7(2)(a) and Article 7(6)(d) of Law 10/2005 of August 10^th, as amended by Laws 3/2016 of May 25^th and 10/2023 of April 5^th, I hereby determine the following:

1. Day off is granted on March 28^th, 2024, all day.
2. This order covers officials, agents, and workers who work in direct State administration services, whether central or deconcentrated or in indirect administration bodies.
3. The human resources of public services that, due to the nature of their activity, must remain in operation during that period are exempt from the previous paragraph.
4. Without prejudice to the continuity and quality of the public service to be provided, the senior managers of the services referred to in the previous paragraph must promote the equivalent exemption from the duty of attendance of the respective human resources on a day to be set in due course. END