Balancing pros and cons of extended weekend

SOME LOCAL governments in Hebei and Jiangxi provinces and Chongqing municipality have been encouraging staff to take Friday afternoon off, as advocated by the central government in August. A commentator on Rednet.cn wrote:

The 2.5-day weekend has no meaning in the private sector. Companies are unlikely to encourage their workers to take the afternoon off, and workers care more about losing a half-day's pay. Therefore, it is only an option for State-owned enterprises or work units in public sectors.

But we should first ponder the feasibility and necessity of a 2.5-day weekend before making any judgment.