Johannesburg – The leadership of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa, requesting him to declare December 27 an additional paid public holiday.
The federation said it was alerted to the fact that during 2022, working South Africans would enjoy only 11 out of the 12 paid public holidays as Christmas falls on a Sunday this year.
In terms of the Public Holidays Act, “whenever any public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be a public holiday”, and Monday, December 26, the Day of Goodwill, will be deemed to fall outside of the ambit of the Public Holidays Act.
“FEDUSA 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,” FEDUSA said.
The federation said it believes this gesture would go a long way in strengthening workers morale considering their difficulties faced, while boosting economic activity during the festive season.
“FEDUSA believes that President Ramaphosa should seriously consider proclaiming December 27, 2022, a paid public holiday,” the federation said.
The Star