Holiday Economics
Dec 14th 2010greenbucksBusiness & Money Watch & Philippines
I don’t know if it’s just me but I think the Philippines has too many public holidays that holiday economics or RA 9492, “An Act Rationalizing the Celebration of National Holidays” is not something I would have approved if I was in Congress or Senate when it was approved (like I’d be there at all, lol)
BUT! moving the holidays to another day to promote a long weekend event is not something I would approve of. Imagine celebrating Independence Day on a different date? Duh? Thank God Good Friday, All Saints’ Day, Christmas and New Year are days that can’t be moved.
another BUT! for business owners, especially with the production and services companies, too many holidays are hurting their businesses, because they pay their employees extra when they need to go to work during holidays, IF they get these extra benefits at all.
Of course, the working people love holidays because it is the only during these days, save for their paid sick leaves (which I don’t have, sigh), that they get to rest and spend more time with their families. Save for national holidays, there are even regional holidays that merit another wave of holidays.
In European countries, a friend told me that if you live there, you have to buy the things you need because holiday means the stores are closed. But in this country, holiday means the malls are opened. Pity the employees who go to work and not spend time resting with their families.
Do they have extra compensation for that? I’m not sure because most of these sales person in malls are under 6-months contract which do not qualify them to get any benefits if at all. Tsk, tsk.
