All Saints’ Day in Côte d’Ivoire
All Saints’ Day, called Fête de la Toussaint in Côte d’Ivoire, falls on November 1 and is listed in national law as a public holiday.[1][2]
A public holiday under Ivorian law
Decree No. 96-205 of March 7, 1996 includes November 1, the Feast of All Saints, among the civil and religious holidays that are public and non-working, subject to any more favorable collective agreements. The decree’s rules cover workers in agricultural, industrial and commercial establishments, while allowing work to continue in services whose activity cannot be interrupted.[1]
The decree also sets out pay protections for workers on holidays, including compensation for eligible workers in services that cannot stop. It expressly provides a day off when the National Day or Labour Day falls on a Sunday, but does not state the same Sunday-substitute rule for All Saints’ Day.[1]
Religious meaning and observance
In Catholic teaching, All Saints’ Day honours saints of every age and reflects the spiritual bond between the living Church and the Church in heaven. It is distinct from the commemoration of all the faithful departed, which the Vatican describes as part of the first days of November.[3]
A report from a Catholic parish celebration in Man describes a Mass focused on the call to holiness and the example of saints.[4]
What to expect on the day
The decree establishes a general non-working rule for covered workplaces, with exceptions for services that cannot interrupt their activity. Check with a specific organization or operator before making plans.[1]
The holiday’s fixed date and its legal status make November 1 the key detail for planning. When it falls on a Sunday, the decree’s stated substitute-day provisions do not name All Saints’ Day.[1]
Frequently asked questions
When is All Saints’ Day in Côte d’Ivoire?
It is observed on November 1. The decree lists that date for the Feast of All Saints.[1]
Is it a day off, and is it paid?
The decree classifies it as a public, non-working holiday for covered workplaces, with exceptions for services that cannot stop. It also sets out pay protections for holiday work and eligible workers.[1]
Is there a substitute day when November 1 falls on Sunday?
The decree specifically names substitute days when the National Day or Labour Day falls on Sunday, but does not name All Saints’ Day in that rule.[1]
Are offices, banks, shops and transport open?
The decree classifies All Saints’ Day as a public, non-working holiday for covered workplaces, with exceptions for services that cannot stop. Check opening hours with government offices and banks before you go.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for All Saints' Day in Côte d’Ivoire:
- DECRET N° 96-205 DU 7 MARS 1996 DETERMINANT LA LISTE ET LE REGIME DES JOURS FERIES- International Labour Organization, NATLEX
- Jours fériés- Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire in Qatar
- Angelus, 1 November 1997 - All Saints- The Holy See
- Côte d’Ivoire-AIP/ La solennité de tous les Saints célébrée à Man sous le signe de l’appel à la sainteté- Agence Ivoirienne de Presse