Longer Idul Fitri holiday

Longer Idul Fitri holiday

From Pikiran Rakyat

I could not return to my hometown for Idul Fitri this year because I was the duty officer in the shop where I am employed.

I would like to visit my hometown more regularly. However, the shop management seems to have difficulties organizing shifts to make this possible.

But I could not fail to notice that civil servants have a week's holiday every Idul Fitri. Take for instance, this year's Idul Fitri which fell on Sunday and Monday. Civil servants were absent until the following Sunday.

Offices opened, but only a few civil servants showed up. Many of them greeted each other at the office and then went home. This can not be called efficiency, can it?

I suggest the government introduce a one-week holiday for Idul Fitri. Idul Fitri should be regarded as a national event, for it affects the greater part of the population.

Idul Fitri should not be regarded as a waste of human resources. It would be best for all concerned if a longer holiday was introduced. The Idul Fitri holiday is sacred and religious. It is a time to renew family ties.

The government should not worry that the public's productivity will take a downward trend. This will not happen. Many employees take their vacation during Idul Fitri because it means more to them than other holiday.

IWAN KADARISWAN

Bandung, West Java