Early birds get bonuses

Early birds get bonuses

SEMARANG, Central Java: The provincial government hoped to beat many employees' die-hard habit of prolonging the two-day Idul Fitri holiday by giving a bonus of Rp 20,000 (approximately US$8) to people who showed up for duty as scheduled yesterday.

Antara reported that the office of the Central Java provincial secretariat spent Rp 8.28 million yesterday on the 414 of its some 1,500 employees who arrived at 7 a.m. sharp for roll call.

"This is a spontaneous gesture to appreciate the punctuality of the employees," office chief Poedjirahardjo said.

The other 1,086 workers who did not show up on time were not called "lazy", however. Poedjirahardjo said there were many who were on leave.

"Those who were intentionally absent will be punished," he said.

Routines at government offices do not usually return to normal until around a week after Idul Fitri. Many employees only show up to punch the time clock and leave without doing anything. (swe)