Public holidays cost SA R2.5bn a day

IF THE country’s workforce is presently in a laid-back mood, they can be forgiven, say experts.

With four consecutive four-day working weeks between April and May because of the clump of public holidays, it’s hard to avoid that festive feeling.

A study by the National Productivity Institute in 2015 showed the country loses at least R2.5 billion for each working day lost.

Hardest hit by breaks in production were the mining and manufacturing sectors, where approximately R800 million is lost.

Was the stop-start effect caused by Freedom Day, celebrated on Thursday, and next day being a normal working day, “good for business” or not?

There were suggestions from some that public holidays be moved to Fridays so that the break in productivity could be better controlled or the number of gazetted days off reduced.

Chinese citizens only observe four public holidays each year while South Africans enjoy 12.

On a global scale, South Africa measured up to first world countries in terms of the number of “bank” (public) holidays it allowed, and way off the mark when compared with Sri Lankans and Indians who got 25 and 18 days off respectively.

But some experts suggested there is no need to tinker.

Attorney Verlie Oosthuizen, a partner with law firm Shepstone Wylie, explained that the local labour environment was different because a large part was involved in shift work.

“I don’t think it would make a difference to move public holidays.

“South African public holidays have political and historical significance attached. It is very important that we celebrate them on the day.”

She said workers did not lose out when public holidays fell on a Sunday because they got the next day off.

Karen Fulton, a partner in the Bowmans law firm, said having a public holiday every week in April was bad for business, and it was not feasible to move them to create extended weekends.

“However, Section 22 of the Public Holidays Act says it is acceptable for businesses to move public holidays to another day as long as the employer and the employees are in agreement.”

Claude Naiker, KZN head of the Public Servants Association of SA said: “Public holidays might seem like a distraction for some but our members, especially nurses, paramedics and security officers, welcome the opportunity to enjoy some family time.

“They work shifts, weekends and public holidays. The time off gives them time to rest, which improves their productivity.”