Longer public holidays?

Longer public holidays?

It's a working day for civil servants, but many at the office of
the North Sumatra provincial administration decided to skip work
on Friday, following two national holidays on Wednesday and
Thursday.

The Social Welfare Agency at the provincial administration
looked quiet (see photo), with few officials around. Office
equipment was left untouched and many rooms were still locked.

Those who showed up for work -- only 10 out of 50 staffers at
the agency -- were seen chatting or smoking although it was 9:35
a.m. Others even opted to read newspapers or watch TV.

The low turnout of civil servants after the two days holiday
could also be seen at various offices in Medan, like the office
of the mayor, the state court and city council.

When asked, officials at the North Sumatra Social Welfare
Agency said they did not know the whereabouts of their
colleagues, while others said they were on training or
assignment.

"Many of the officials here are still in a training
program ...," said one of the officials, Damanik, who showed up
for work dressed casually in jeans and T-shirt.

Another official, Rahman, said it was a die-hard habit to skip
work if the working day was in between two holidays.

"Many left for their hometowns during the holidays, making it
hard for them to come back to work for a day and continue their
holiday the day after," said Rahman, who has been working for the
provincial administration for over 20 years.

When asked about sanctions for those who skipped work, the
assistant to the North Sumatra governor on social welfare and
law, Sofyan Nasution, said they would be given administrative
sanctions, especially those who did not seek permission.

"The sanctions will be given by their respective superiors,"
Sofyan told The Jakarta Post by cell phone from Singapore. He was
on assignment in the country but children's laughter heard on the
phone sounded like he was on holiday himself.

-- JP/Apriadi Gunawan