The government is considering a change in the calendar of days off, which can straight affect the plans of millions of Poles. On the table is simply a proposal to cancel the day off from work on 6 January, or the Feast of the 3 Kings, and in return to establish a free Christmas Eve. The thought that comes back in public debate creates utmost emotions and divides experts. On the 1 hand, there are economical arguments and references to a profoundly rooted tradition, on the another hand voices defending all day remainder for 1 of the most busy nations in Europe.
The initiative gained momentum through the statements of the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, and was late reinforced by a citizens' petition that went to the Senate. The authors of the changes emphasize that Christmas Eve has a much greater emotional and household importance for Poles than the comparatively "young" feast of the 3 Kings. Do we have a revolution in the calendar? We analyse the arguments of both parties and check what specified a change would mean in practice for workers and the economy.
What changed your mind? The government points to the importance of Christmas Eve
The debate on remodeling the calendar of days off work rekindled erstwhile Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz publically advocated making December 24 a day off. As she argued on RMF FM, Christmas Eve is simply a day of peculiar household character for Poleswhich in many companies is already treated with relief. Workers frequently request to take leave or employers shorten their day of work on their own initiative.
"On 6 January, he was introduced as a day off comparatively late and, in my opinion, it does not substance as much as Christmas Eve, which is simply a household holiday, an emotional vacation for Poles and not only a spiritual holiday," the minister explained. Establishing Christmas Eve as a public vacation would so sanction common practice and remove the burden of yearly combinations from employees and employers.
However, in order for the balance of days off to agree and not burden the economy, the proposal assumes simultaneously abolition of the day off 6 January. The Feast of the 3 Kings, restored to the calendar of days off in 2011, is, according to supporters of change, the easiest candidate to remove. They argue that his tradition is not as firmly rooted in social consciousness as Christmas Eve meetings at the table.
Petition in the legislature and economical arguments. The 3 Kings burden the economy?
The voice of the government is not everything. The thought of Christmas conversion has late gained support in the form of a citizen petition addressed to the Senate. Its author, wishing to stay anonymous, focuses primarily on economical arguments. Indicates that Free day in early January generates measurable economical losses, disrupting the fluidity of work in key sectors.
"Abolition of the day off on 6 January could improve the fluidity of work in sectors dependent on business continuity. The current vacation arrangement creates a stagnation at the turn of the year, making business difficult," says the petition. A free day frequently falls in the mediate of the working week will disorganize supply chains, client service and production processes, which have just gained momentum after the fresh Year's break. From a business perspective, collecting holidays during Christmas would be much more predictable and easier to plan.
Supporters of this solution emphasize that Christmas Eve, being a free day, would let more peaceful preparations for Christmas without having to quit work. specified a change could besides reduce communication and trade chaosEvery year we observe December 24th in the afternoon. In practice, this would mean a full 2 days (25 and 26 December) and an additional day (24 December) for celebration, which would be more valuable for many families than a single day off in early January.
The experts are cooling down their emotions. “Not everything can be converted into money”
However, the proposal to liquidate the free 6 January has as many opponents who inform against hasty decisions. Among another things, Krzysztof Inglot, a labour marketplace expert and founder of the individual Service, spoke on this issue, who considers the thought completely unfounded. “Not everything can and should be converted into money” – emphasizes with all the power.
According to Inglot, days off, even those falling out in the mediate of the week, have an crucial stimulating role, though in a different way. “Tourism, gastronomy and hoteling can make thanks to their days off. More people can afford a short trip, which stimulates local economies, especially in poorer municipalities," the expert explains. A long weekend, which is frequently created around 6 January, is the only chance for many Poles to travel in winter, which translates into real profits for the tourism industry.
Moreover, in the context of global labour marketplace trends, specified as discussions about 4-day week of work, automation and the increasing function of artificial intelligence, limiting the number of days off seems a step in the incorrect direction. alternatively of taking the remainder of the day, according to experts, we should alternatively consider how to give workers more time for regeneration, which in the long word translates into their greater productivity and lower sickness.
Poles at the top of the line. Are you certain we request little time off?
The Christmas calendar is discussed in a very crucial context. According to CSO and Eurostat, Poles belong to the most busy nations in the European Union. We work much more hours than the average German, French or Dutch. At the same time, the number of public holidays in Poland (13 days) is not the highest in Europe – we are placed in the mediate of the stake.
In this situation, the argument that 1 additional day off represents an excessive burden on the economy is losing weight. For many employees, all day of remainder is worth the weight of gold. The liquidation of the free 6 January, even in exchange for Christmas Eve, can be taken as an effort to tighten the loop on the already worked society. Although Christmas Eve is important, many people value an additional, “huffled” day off from another holidays, which allows to recharge batteries early in the year.
The final decision on changes in the calendar has not yet been made. Petition went to the Senate, and the rulers will surely analyse social sentiments. The dispute between economical efficiency and social needs and the right to remainder is very clear in this case. Whether we say goodbye to the 3 Kings free for Christmas Eve will be 1 of the more interesting tests of the priorities of the present power.
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The government wants to shut down January 6. Poles get free Christmas Eve instead?
