Día de descanso obligatorio, meaning "obligatory rest day" or "mandatory holiday," refers to the national public holidays on which employers must give employees paid time off. Latin American countries typically have between 9 and 18 mandatory holidays per year, and requiring employees to work on these days triggers premium pay obligations.
Number of Holidays by Country
Mexico has 9 mandatory holidays (increasing with recent reforms). Argentina has approximately 15 national holidays (feriados nacionales). Colombia has 18 holidays, many of which are moved to the following Monday under the 'Ley Emiliani' bridge-day law. Brazil has about 12 national holidays plus state and municipal holidays that vary by location. Chile has 16 mandatory holidays (feriados irrenunciables).
Premium Pay for Working Holidays
In Mexico, employees who work on a mandatory holiday receive triple pay (regular pay plus 200% premium). In Brazil, the premium is 100% (double pay) unless a compensatory day off is given. In Argentina, holiday work requires double pay. In Colombia, the premium is 75% for daytime and 110% for nighttime holiday work. These premiums are among the highest globally.
EOR Relevance
An EOR maintains an updated calendar of mandatory holidays for each country and region, applies correct premium pay when employees work on these days, and ensures compliance with local customs around bridge days and regional holidays. The EOR also manages the scheduling and payroll implications of varying holiday counts across countries.