Prolonged holidays

The government’s decision of extended Eid holidays-cum-lockdown from May 8 to 16 appears to have been driven more by the scare caused by the third wave of Covid-19 than practical considerations. It does not seem to have taken into calculation how the closure of workplaces for nine straight days would affect daily wagers and businesses. Both workers and traders have opposed the decision. The prolonged closure will affect workers more than traders, however. Many of those engaged in the construction industry have already been out of work for the past several days, and they face the depressing prospect of finding no work for another nine days. Work at construction sites remains suspended as masons and other skilled workers have left for their ancestral places anticipating lack of work in cities. This has resulted in severe difficulties for daily wagers.

The government and the people are once again facing the issue of striking a balance between saving lives and saving livelihoods. During last year’s first wave of the dreadful pandemic, the government had imposed a prolonged lockdown to protect lives. Then the government and welfare organisations had extended a helping hand to the needy by providing them with assistance in cash and kind. Now the government has not announced any scheme to help those who would be without work during the planned nine holidays.

Traders have urged the government not to close businesses for nine days as this will harm them badly. They say business is slack even on the occasion of Eid. The closure of markets and shopping malls at 6pm is not only hurting them but it is also aiding in the spread of the deadly virus. People throng markets in large numbers due to the time restriction, and so they are unable to adhere to social distancing and other precautions. Prime Minister Imran Khan too has regularly been ruling out a complete lockdown. While taking decisions relating to the pandemic the government should take into account the fact: pleasure and action make hours shorter.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2021.

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