Public Holidays in Bhutan for 2019
In Bhutan, there is a religious festival called Tshechu that means “tenth day” that is annually held in different temples, dzongs, and monasteries in all parts of the county.
The Tshechu is celebrated every tenth day of a month that corresponds to Guru Rimpoche’s birthday, but it follows the lunar calendar. However, Tshechu’s exact month varies in every place, and it depends on the temple.
Everyone must attend the Tshechu and watch the mask dances at least once so they will receive blessings, and their sins are washed away.
There are two most important Tschechus in Bhutan, and they are Paro and Thimphu Tshechus based on the audience and participation. Aside from the locals, there are a lot of tourists from around the world who travel to Bhutan to witness these colourful, unique, and exciting traditional cultural events.
How are Businesses During Bhutan Public Holiday
Those who work in public offices and the government have a lot of vacations in February, and there is a lot more to look forward to.
In Bhutan, many government holidays even if they are not listed as one of the countries with the most holidays. They have 18 government holidays, making them one of the top five. The number could become 23 days, which depends on where you work and live.
Civil servants and employees in public corporations only work for 318 days after they subtract 24 weekends. That does not include the casual and earned leaves that employees should have.
During holidays, some sectors and businesses that need to operate for a couple of hours. The Druk Air and Bank of Bhutan are open on government holidays, but it is only for a couple of hours.
The private sectors remain closed on important holidays like the King’s birth anniversary and National Day.
Dates of the Bhutan Public Holiday 2019
| Date | Which Day/s | Holiday | Type |
| 3 January | Wednesday | Winter Solstice | Public |
| 6 January | Sunday | Traditional Day of Offering | Public |
| 5 – 6 February | Tuesday | Losar New Year | Public |
| 21 – 23 February | Thursday | Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King | Public |
| 14 April | Sunday | Shabdrung Kuchoe | Public |
| 2 May | Thursday | Birth Anniversary of Third Druk Gyalpo | Public |
| 17 June | Monday | Lord Buddha’s Parinirvana | Public |
| 11 July | Thursday | Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche | Public |
| 4 August | Sunday | First Sermon of Lord Buddha | Season |
| 24 September | Tuesday | Blessed Rainy Day | Public |
| 4 October | Friday | Thimphu Drupchen Dromchoe | Municipal Holiday |
| 8 – 10 October | Tuesday | Thimphu Tshechu | Municipal Holiday |
| 1 November | Friday | Coronation of His Majesty the King | Public |
| 11 November | Monday | Birth Anniversary of Fourth Druk Gyalpo | Public |
| 19 November | Tuesday | Descending of Lord Buddha | Public |
| 17 December | Tuesday | National Day | National |
| 22 December | Sunday | December Solstice | Season |
Employee Benefits During Holidays
Based on the regulations, all employees in Bhutan are entitled to have breaks between working hours. They must be allowed to take a 10-minute break after working for two hours from the time they start. Employees must be given a 30-minute break after working for four hours.
Leave is considered a holiday that you must be paid. It is important to take a planned leave to restore your physical and mental fatigue and to balance work with your private life.
An employee must be given at least nine public holidays, and that includes the National Day, and the birth of His Majesty the King every year with pay.
If you are asked by your employer to work on a holiday, you must be paid an additional 50% of your normal salary rate.
Doing Business in Bhutan
Bhutan has one of the best economies in South Asia. Over the past year, paying taxes in Bhutan has been made easier. They introduced an online platform to file your personal income tax returns. However, Bhutan would have to accelerate its reform momentum to improve the development of private sectors. If you want to invest in Bhutan, here are some of the best business ideas:
Agribusiness
The Agribusiness Industry in Bhutan is prevailing, and about 80% of its inhabitants are agriculture. In Bhutan, over 95% of the nation’s procuring ladies are working in the agrarian segment. A dominant part of the Himalayan people in Bhutan is working in the horticultural area.
Mining and Minerals
The mineral industry in Bhutan was a little insignificant to the economy because it was overshadowed by the production of coal, bond, gypsum, dolomite, and limestone. The known assets are copper, beryl, lead, graphite, mica, tin, pyrite, zinc, and tungsten. Mining is one of the fastest developing businesses in Bhutan.
These are the essential points to consider why setting up a business in Bhutan is an excellent idea.
