Nepal Faces Criticism Over Excessive Public Holidays Impacting Economy and Private Sector Operations

Kathmandu. Around a week of holidays fell near the general elections. The government declared a three-day public holiday from Falgun 20 to 22 for the elections. Before that, on Monday, Falgun 18, there was a holiday for Holi in 56 districts, and on the 19th, in 21 districts of the Terai region. Furthermore, the 23rd fell on a Saturday. Based on this, there was a week of public holidays. Moreover, women have a holiday on Falgun 24 for International Women's Day.

The government, which decided to grant over 80 days off in 2082 BS, is set to grant 109 days of public holidays in the upcoming year 2083 BS, including Saturdays and various festivals and anniversaries. Some holidays are designated nationwide, while others are for specific regions or communities. The government has determined eight types of holidays. Under this, 52 days of public holidays due to Saturdays were fixed in 2082 BS. Similarly, everyone receives festival holidays. Holidays have been designated nationwide for some, and for specific regions or communities for others, concerning female employees, educational institutions, fairs, anniversaries, employees with disabilities, and birthdays.

In connection with this, Nepali missions abroad can manage and adjust up to 18 days of public holidays by considering the holidays of the respective countries. Provincial and local governments can also grant an additional 6 days of public holidays based on the religion and culture of their respective areas.

Because of these excessive public holidays, the private sector is becoming frustrated. Leaders in the private sector have started stating that problems are arising as laborers do not come to work and even government work is halted due to public holidays. Ravi Singh, President of the Nepal Construction Entrepreneurs' Federation, stated that work is being affected due to the excessive public holidays. According to him, although Nepal is small in terms of geography and population, the high frequency of public holidays is starting to impact work. He mentioned that due to holidays granted to every community, the number of public holidays in Nepal is starting to exceed the working days. He argued that these holidays are pushing the country's development and economy backward, and the private sector is suffering significant losses as government employees remain at home due to the holidays.

President Singh said, 'Nepal is very small in terms of geography and population. Nepal is 30/35 times smaller than India and China based on population. There is a lot of diversity in a small country. That diversity must be respected. However, while respecting that diversity, there are too many public holidays that contract the country's economy, reduce the country's GDP and economic growth, and hinder our progress. Holidays should now only be given to the specific community that requires them. Due to holidays granted to every community, the number of public holidays in Nepal is exceeding the working days. We have many languages and cultures; celebrating them doesn't solely depend on granting holidays. Holidays are also given on Martyrs' Day. There is no need to give holidays. We should now work and organize programs too. We are pushing the country's development and economy backward due to holidays. The private sector is incurring huge losses because government employees stay home due to holidays. Although some work in the construction sector happens during public holidays, many laborers say they don't need to observe festivals, which also causes problems.'

He further stated that it is becoming very difficult to work in the construction sector due to public holidays. - News Agency Nepal