Not all can enjoy extra half-day off

A tourist jumps as sun sets in the background in Qingdao, Shandong province, August 10, 2015. [Photo/IC]

The general office of the State Council recently issued a document, "Several Decisions on Further Promoting Tourism-related Investment and Consumption", which urges employers to make vacation schedules more flexible for employees. The document asks employers to give a half-day off to employees on Fridays in summer to boost tourism, which has sparked a heated public discussion. Comment:

The document urges some sectors and institutions to devise and implement flexible vacation schedules for summer. Since the instructions are not mandatory, only a few people can enjoy two-and-half-day weekends in summer. Many people assume enterprises, especially private enterprises, will find it difficult to follow the instructions because they will compromise their economic interests. They believe only civil servants and public sector employees will benefit from the decision. Besides, some public facilities may not function on Friday afternoon.

Southern Metropolis Daily, Aug 12

Although the document doesn't say it is compulsory that employers grant two-and-half-day weekends to employees in summer, the reform may have a demonstrative effect. If some sectors or organizations give employees an extra half-day off in summer, it will not only benefit the employees, but will also facilitate further reform in the entire vacation system nationwide. To protect employees' interests and encourage more organizations to implement flexible vacation schedules, the authorities should provide legal aid to employees, and more favorable fiscal and taxation policies to employers that enforce the document's recommendations.

Haiwainet, Aug 12

Demand in the tourism industry is not increasing mainly because of the limited days of paid leave employees get, not because of economic capacity. Many people have no time to travel because they get limited days of leave. By implementing flexible vacation schedules and encouraging employers to give an extra half-day off on Fridays, the authorities are trying to promote short distance tourism.

China Economic Net, Aug 12