Government urged to revoke decision of two weekly holidays

Industrialists and traders on Wednesday urged the government to revoke its decision of extending the two weekly holidays till October 31. Government has taken this decision to counter the energy crisis prevalent in the country.
Expressing concerns on government's decision to allow two weekly holidays to all the government and bank employees, they said the government, in consultation with the business community should consider alternative measures of addressing the energy crises of the country.
They also urged the authorities to at least exempt all exports and imports related government officials including ports, customs and banks from observing Saturdays as off days, if the withdrawal of the decision is not possible.
They said that two weekly holidays in government offices and banks had already slowed down the pace of business and industrial actives in the country as matters concerning banks and government offices are getting delayed. They also said with Ramadan approaching fast, the working hours would also be curtailed.
President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Abdul Majid Haji Mohammad said that in the prevalent economic, power and law and order situation of the country, keeping government offices closed on Saturdays is not a laudable decision. He said the industrial sector is already passing through a difficult time and facing many serious difficulties including high cost of production, a decline in export orders, etc and added that two holidays in a week would be counterproductive for the country's economics. He also said that not a single developing country in the world observes two weekly holidays.
Commenting on the issue, Chairman Site Association of Industry (SAI) Saleem Moosa Parekh said that two weekly holidays has already had an adverse impact on the national economy, revenue generation and exports. He urged the government to publicly announce the savings they achieved so far by closing down the government offices and banks for two days in a week.
He said the government should open at least Custom offices and banks for imports. He also said the shipping lines and ports are making money in the shape of demurrages they charge on delaying the clearances of goods. He noted that Custom offices are now open for exports on Saturdays and urged the authorities to do the same for imports as well.