Extended holiday judged a success

Extended holiday judged a success

JAKARTA: Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla said on Friday the extended holiday during Idul Fitri had helped to improve work attendance among civil servants.

"About 60 percent of civil servants failed to show up to the office after Idul Fitri last year, while only 11 percent were absent this year," Kalla said.

This was the first year civil servants were given an extended Idul Fitri break, allowing many of them to return to their hometowns for the holiday.

The minister also said the extended holiday had a positive impact on the distribution of wealth to the regions, as well as improving domestic tourism, which had slumped after the Bali blasts on Oct. 12.

Kalla added that the government was ready to review the new policy if that was the wish of the majority of civil servants. -- Antara