Public Holidays in Georgia for 2019
It is not hard to love Georgia because people who visit this nation do not leave disappointed. They enjoy the beautiful scenery and rich historical influences they find there. There are monasteries, vineyards, and they are very hospitable to strangers.
Georgia has a fascinating history, and that is one of the reasons why people choose to travel there. Aside from that, Georgia has a reforming economy, and its citizens have an improved standard of living.
That is why setting up a business in Georgia has become more accessible to foreign investors. If you are planning to do it, you must know about the public holidays and what your employers will need.
You will have more information about that and how to keep your employees as you read more.
What Employers Must Know About Georgia Public Holidays
Georgia has 17 holidays, and workers must have at least 24 days of paid leave a year. Employees may also have an additional 15 days maximum of unpaid leave in case of an unexpected illness or emergency. The new mothers can have up to 730 days of leave to cover their pregnancy and child care. Only 183 of these days will be paid. In case the mother had twins and had a complicated delivery, 200 days are paid. Fathers have no additional paid leave.
If you will terminate an employee or they resigned, you must have a clear policy about their payment for the unused vacation time. It would help if you established policies for paying employees on several factors. These factors are the accrued vacation time, denying them payment for the vacation time, disqualifying them from payment for vacation if they are terminated, and not giving them the payment if they do not comply with your requirements.
Dates of the Georgia Public Holiday 2019
| Date | Day/s | Holiday | Type |
| 1 January | Tuesday | New Year’s Day | Public |
| 2 January | Wednesday | New Year’s (Day 2) | Public |
| 7 January | Monday | Orthodox Christmas Day | Public |
| 19 January | Saturday | Orthodox Epiphany | Public |
| 14 February | Thursday | Valentine’s Day | Observance |
| 3 March | Sunday | Mothers’ Day | Public |
| 8 March | Friday | International Women’s Day | Public |
| 21 March | Thursday | March Equinox | Season |
| 21 March | Thursday | Nowruz | Observance |
| 9 April | Tuesday | Independence Restoration Day | Public |
| 26 April | Friday | Orthodox Good Friday | Public |
| 27 April | Saturday | Orthodox Holy Saturday | Public |
| 28 April | Sunday | Orthodox Easter Sunday | Public |
| 29 April | Monday | Orthodox Easter Monday | Public |
| 9 May | Thursday | Victory Day | Public |
| 12 May | Sunday | St Andrew’s Day | Public |
| 26 May | Sunday | Independence Day | Public |
| 16 June | Sunday | Fathers’ Day | Observance |
| 21 June | Friday | June Solstice | Season |
| 28 August | Wednesday | Day of the Assumption of Mary | Public |
| 23 September | Monday | September Equinox | Season |
| 14 October | Monday | Svetitskhovloba | Public |
| 23 November | Saturday | St George’s Day | Public |
| 22 December | Sunday | December Solstice | Season |
| 31 December | Tuesday | New Year’s Eve | Observance |
Employee Benefits During Public Holidays
An employer must pay an employee’s accrued vacation or if they no longer work for the company because of termination or resignation.
Sometimes, the department where the employee works for demands that they work on a holiday. If the employee must come to work on that day, the employer may choose between these two:
- Give the employee a different day off with pay by making that day the employee’s paid holiday.
- Pay the employee’s holiday pay, plus their regular pay rate because of the additional work they did on that holiday. If this option is chosen, the employee will not be given another paid day off because they worked on a public holiday.
It is also a requirement that the employer gives their holiday pay at least a day before the leave starts. If there will be any changes, the employee or employer must provide notice two weeks ahead of time.
Doing Business in Georgia
Georgia has become one of the most business-friendly countries in the world. Its economy has managed to stay at a steady level. This nation is in the 6th position in terms of being a business-friendly nation.
Georgia has simplified its administration procedures like licensing or tax registration. They also have an e-payment system for streamlining business contracts enforcement.
Also, it is between Europe and Central Asia, making it a deciding factor in why setting up a business in Georgia would be worth it.
The top industries in Georgia are coffee shops, poultry farming, nursing home, tourism, bar and restaurant, pharmacy, wellness, fitness centre, and more.
You will have a great time investing in Georgia because of the opportunities you will find.
