The Slovak government has decided to eliminate May 8 and September 15 as recognized public holidays, while still maintaining the provision that employees who work on these days will receive a 100% pay bonus. This decision has caused some confusion, especially as both days fall on Fridays this year. The government’s oversight means that employees can potentially earn double pay for these days, despite their elimination as official holidays.

The Ministry of Labor has acknowledged the issue and has planned to address it in an upcoming parliamentary session in April. The situation arises from the government’s failure to amend the law regarding holiday pay after abolishing these public holidays. This oversight means that if employees work on either of these Fridays, they will be compensated for eight hours of regular pay plus an additional eight hours as a public holiday bonus, leading to concerns from employers who will face increased labor costs.

Employers are expressing their dissatisfaction with the current situation and are demanding a revision of the law to avoid the unintended financial implications of the government’s decision. The government's acknowledgement of the mistake indicates a willingness to resolve the concerns surrounding holiday pay, yet it remains to be seen how effectively this will be addressed before the actual dates arrive, affecting both employees and employers across Slovakia.