The Aruba Betico Day holiday decision 2026 has been revised after the government withdrew its earlier plan to grant a paid public holiday for everyone on Monday following Betico Day. Betico Day, which falls on a Sunday this year, remains the official public holiday under Aruba’s labor law.
According to Minister of Tourism, Transport and Labor Wendrick Cicilia, Betico Day is a national holiday, and employees in both the public and private sectors are either entitled to the day off or to additional compensation if they are required to work. This year’s celebrations are especially significant, marking 40 years of Status Aparte and 50 years of Aruba’s Anthem and Flag.
To encourage wider participation in the national celebrations, the Council of Ministers initially approved granting government employees an additional day off on Monday. This measure was intended to allow families to celebrate together, as schools are also closed on Monday.
However, the Aruba Betico Day holiday decision 2026 clarifies that this extra day off applies only to government employees and is not considered an official public holiday. As a result, public sector employees who work on Monday will not receive double pay. Only those who work on Sunday, Betico Day, are entitled to 200 percent holiday pay, as stipulated by law.
Minister Cicilia explained that while the government encouraged private-sector employers to offer a rest day to their staff where possible, it cannot legally impose an additional holiday on private businesses. The official public holiday therefore remains Sunday, with Monday classified solely as an extra rest day for government employees.
The minister acknowledged that the late change in policy caused confusion in several sectors. He also expressed his intention to propose amendments to existing legislation, which currently prevents the government from shifting public holidays that fall on weekends to the following weekday.
Minister Cicilia stated that he plans to submit proposed changes to Parliament, aiming to restore flexibility in the law so future national holidays can be officially observed on weekdays when they fall on weekends.
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