Energy conservation: Govt workers welcome five-day week

An officer says the two days off would give them time to refresh.

LAHORE:

Almost all Punjab government employees have welcomed the caretaker government’s decision to observe two holidays a week, saying that it will improve their lives as well as their attitude towards public on working days.

A senior official from the Education Department said the five-day week would give them more time to deal with personal and family matters which previously got neglected. He said although the office timing was from 8am to 3pm, about 70 per cent of the officials had to work till sunset. He said their performance in the five working days would be better than it was in the six-day week.

A senior official from the Finance Department said his colleagues had to work till evening. He said two holidays a week would provide them with opportunity to refresh. The change would boost the morale of government officials, he said.

An officer from the Industries Department said: “We welcome this announcement. It will help us resolve family issues, meet our relatives and look after our children.”

He said most of the officers in the Civil Secretariat hailed from other districts. At weekends, they wished to visit their hometown but that was difficult to manage with just one holiday.

A senior officer from the Home Department said the decision should have been taken three years ago when the federal government proposed this.

A senior official from the Local Government and Community Development said: “I attend office on Saturdays owing to the transfers and postings of field officials, but I think it (two holidays) is a good idea.

A senior official from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat said: “We all felt great relief… We work in a tense environment.

Most of the employees are suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes. The two holidays will help us.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2013.