Bishkek declares September 1 a holiday for public sector workers

The government of Kyrgyzstan has declared September 1, 2026, a non-working day for employees of state and municipal organizations in Bishkek. This decision, signed by the head of the Cabinet of Ministers, Adylbek Kasymaliev, aims to alleviate pressure on the city's transport infrastructure and bolster public safety during upcoming events involving heads of state from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Employees of state-funded organizations, institutions, and enterprises in the capital will observe the holiday, with their average daily wages to be maintained. For organizations with continuous production cycles, work on this day will be compensated according to the Labor Code of Kyrgyzstan. In addition to public sector employees, private companies operating in Bishkek are also being recommended to grant their staff a day off, with the stipulation that their average daily wages should be preserved. This broader recommendation seeks to extend the benefits of the holiday and minimize disruption during the SCO summit activities. The measure is being implemented under a presidential decree that outlines a temporary procedure for introducing additional public holidays in specific regions of Kyrgyzstan. The focus on September 1st is directly linked to the logistical and security requirements of hosting international leaders for the SCO summit.