Saturday holiday for government employees: Decision expected today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala cabinet is likely to take a decision today on reducing the working days in government offices from six to five. The recommendation in this regard was submitted by the General Administration Secretary to the Chief Secretary on Wednesday. The proposal to reduce the working days to five has been included in the agenda of the cabinet meeting. The key decision is expected just before the election announcement.

At present, Saturdays are working days except for the second Saturday of every month. The cabinet will also consider three proposals on how to manage the change if Saturdays are declared a full holiday.

One proposal suggests increasing daily working hours by one hour. Another proposal includes reducing the current 20 casual leave days to 10 and cutting earned leave from 33 days to 30. The government is also considering fixing office hours from 9 am to 5.30 pm, similar to the system followed in the AG’s Office. Currently, office hours are from 10.15 am to 5.15 pm in urban areas and from 10 am to 5 pm in other places. However, opposition employee unions have strongly opposed any move to reduce leave benefits.

At present, government employees work 42 hours a week. If one working day is reduced, it will mean a reduction of about 21 working hours per month and nearly 36 working days in a year. The government believes that a five-day working week could bring financial benefits. However, critics argue that the public may face difficulties in accessing government services if working days are reduced.

Police also seek two weekly off days
The Police Officers Association has also written to the Chief Secretary demanding two weekly off days for police personnel if the five-day workweek is implemented for government employees.

Currently, when officers are asked to work on their weekly off due to urgent duties, they are given an allowance instead of the missed day off. The association has demanded that a similar allowance should be given whenever weekly offs are cancelled. It has also suggested that the allowance should be equal to one day’s salary of the officer.