Committee suggests five-day week

KATHMANDU, Feb 5: A high-level committee formed to review public holidays has recommended 124 public holidays in a year, a five-day week and a choice of some holidays for government employees as per their individual needs.



Apart from the two-day weekend that adds up to 104 days in a year, the committee has suggested the government categorize the remaining 20 public holidays into national, religious and cultural and optional holidays. [break]



A reliable government source informed myrepiblica.com that the committee has also suggested the government change office hours to 9 AM to 5 PM in order to keep weekly office hours at 40 hours. However, weekly office hours during the winter should be lowered to 35 hours, it is proposed.



The committee has categorized New Year’s Day, Republic Day, Buddha’s birthday, Labor Day, Constitution Day, Women’s Day and Disabled Day as national holidays. However, only female and disabled employees will get a day off on Women’s Day and Disabled Day respectively, said the source.



Similarly, under the category of religious and cultural holidays, the committee has recommended government offices close for three days during the Dashain festival while Tihar, Christmas and Eid will each be observed with a day’s office closure.



In a major change from past practice, the committee has recommended a list of holidays from which all public servants will have to choose six as per their social, religious and cultural needs. Apart from the national, religious and cultural and weekend holidays, all public offices will remain open on other days, as only up to 80 percent of the total number of employees would be allowed leave on any given day, said the source.



prem@myrepublica.com

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