Voters petition to have more days off as national holidays

Hà Nội is decorated to celebrate the National Day September 2. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyết

HÀ NỘI — Voters from several provinces say they want more days off to mark the occasion of National Day and Điện Biên Phủ Victory.

Specifically, those living in Bắc Kạn, Hải Dương, Quảng Nam, Khánh Hòa and Bình Thuận believe that the Điện Biên Phủ Victory on May 7, 1954 is a major national event and because it has such great historical significance for the nation it should be marked with a day off.

Therefore, they suggested studying and supplementing the Labour Code 2019 to stipulate that the Điện Biên Phủ Victory annual anniversary is a public holiday and that the people and workers should get a day off with full pay.

In addition, voters also proposed to amend the Labour Code by adding one more day off, with full pay, on September 5 every year.

This is considered a national festival when people across the country take their children to school and one of the most beautiful customs of the Vietnamese people.

It expresses people’s care for the younger generation, demonstrates parents’ concern for their children and the community’s attention for education.

The voters want to add two more days off for National Day, from September 2 to September 5, to create opportunities for all workers to take their children to school on the first day of the new school year.

“This is the earnest wish of the majority of workers who have school-age children,” according to their petition.

Many voters, who are trade union members and workers, agree with the proposal to add more days off for National Day, from September 2 to 5 every year, because the number of official days off in the year is still limited.

Responding to the voters’ proposal, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Đào Ngọc Dung said that the time off for national holidays was studied and decided based on many factors such as religion, customs, habits, the meaning of the holiday and any socio-economic impact.

Adding that more holidays with full pay, in addition to encouraging employees, would create pressure on employers because these are paid days, he said.

He said that he would coordinate with relevant ministries, agencies and organisations to assess the socio-economic impacts and take into account the voters’ proposal while amending and supplementing the Labour Code 2019. — VNS