Hong Kong to get extra day off as Beijing declares holiday for victory in second world war

Hongkongers are expected to enjoy an extra day off work this year after Beijing announced that September 3 will be a one-off national holiday to mark the 70th anniversary of the Japanese surrender in the second world war.

Hong Kong's Labour Department followed suit by announcing yesterday that it would submit a bill to the Legislative Council later this month to make the day, a Thursday, a holiday so people could take part in commemorative activities.

"The move aims to allow people around the country to participate in activities to commemorate China's victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the victory in the Anti-Fascist War," a statement by the State Council said yesterday.

Japan signed the document confirming its surrender on September 2, 1945, and China celebrated the next day. Last year, China's top legislature declared September 3 "Victory Day".

A document the Labour and Welfare Bureau submitted to Legco yesterday said "the potential implications arising for the economy from the one-off proposal should be largely manageable".

There are two types of public holidays in Hong Kong - general holidays and statutory holidays. Under the Employment Ordinance, all workers are entitled to the 12 statutory holidays each year.

But under the General Holidays Ordinance, those working at banks, educational institutions, public offices and government departments enjoy 17 days a year. Employers in the private sector can choose whether to award staff the extra five days.