The upcoming Local Government Election Day on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, was declared a public holiday throughout the Republic of South Africa. Employers are reminded that it should be treated the same as any other public holiday.

Had it not been for the Local Government Elections, Wednesday, 4 November would have been an ordinary working day for most employees. This means the employer must pay:

(a) an employee who does not work on the public holiday, at least the wage that the employee would ordinarily have received for work on that day;

(b) an employee who does work on the public holiday –

(i) at least double the amount referred to in paragraph (a); or

(ii) if it is greater, the amount referred to in paragraph (a) plus the amount earned by the employee for the time worked on that day.

Employees for whom Election Day would not be an ordinary working day (for example shift workers whose “off day” just happens to fall on Election Day), would not be entitled to be paid for that day.

Election Day must also be treated as any other public holiday in all other respects.

Written by Labourwise