The Leadership of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) has written to president Cyril Ramaphosa, requesting an additional paid Public Holiday in December 2022.<\/p>\n
This appeal comes after it was brought to the attention of Fedusa\u2019s leadership that Christmas Day will fall on a Sunday this year \u2013 meaning that working South Africans will only enjoy 11 out of the 12 paid public holidays.<\/p>\n
According to section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act, 1994, \u201cwhenever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be a public holiday\u201d.<\/p>\n
However, Monday following the 25 December 2022 is already a public holiday (Day of Goodwill), meaning workers do not get the benefits of 12 public holidays this year as two days would fall on the same day.<\/p>\n
In 2016, when Christmas Day also fell on a Sunday, Cosatu lobbied for an extra public holiday in December. Following this request, then-president Jacob Zuma declared 27 December 2016 a public holiday.<\/p>\n
Seven years later, trade unions are hoping for the same result.<\/p>\n
\u201cFedusa remains resolute that working South Africans should not be dealt with a further injustice to their income security, already eroded during Covid-19, and must therefore be able to enjoy their full 12 paid public holidays,\u201d the group said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Fedusa added that this gesture would go a long way in strengthening workers\u2019 morale, considering the difficulties they\u2019ve faced in 2022. It said that declaring an additional holiday would also help boost economic activity during the festive season.<\/p>\n