Senate committee rejects move on more holidays

A Parliamentary oversight committee has rejected a proposal to increase the current number of public holidays, arguing that it will hurt the country’s ailing economy.

The Senate’s National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations chaired by Baringo lawmaker William Cheptumo wants the Public Holidays Act Amendment Bill 2023 to be dropped.

The amendment sponsored by Kiambu legislature Paul Karungo Wa Thang’wa had sought to extend public holidays to either the preceding day, where the holiday falls on a Tuesday, and the succeeding day, where the holiday falls on a Thursday.

According to Karungo, extending public holidays can help ensure that workers have enough time to fully enjoy their time off and take care of their physical and mental health.

“Public holidays seek to support economic growth, as they are often associated with travel and tourism, and extending public holidays may encourage Kenyans to take longer trips or visit destinations farther away from their homes. Such an extension would promote the hospitality and tourism industries,” Karungo argued in his bill.

He further argued that public holidays are designed to provide workers with time off from their jobs to rest and recharge, spend time with family and friends, and celebrate important events or traditions, and are often associated with travel and tourism.

Adverse effects on economy

However, the oversight committee has now differed with his proposal arguing that the Bill has the potential to cause adverse effects on the country, its economy and the rights of employers.

“Consequently, the committee recommends that the Bill does not proceed to the next stage in the legislative process,” the report reads in part.

The Bill was introduced in the Senate for its first reading before it was committed to the committee to conduct public participation and file a report to the House on its suitability.

Long weekends

Karungo in his proposal had suggested extending long weekends by declaring the preceding Monday a public holiday when a holiday falls on a Tuesday and the succeeding Friday as a public holiday when a holiday falls on a Thursday.

The first-time Senator had also argued that the primary objective of his proposed legislation is to put Kenyan workers’ well-being first and invigorate the tourism industry.

However, the committee, that scrutinized the Bill, argues that Karungo’s proposal to extend the holidays does not address the well-being of the Kenyan workers.

“Whereas it is important to consider the well-being of employees and work-life balance, this must be approached cautiously to ensure that economic growth of the country is not affected,” said the committee in its report.

The William Cheptumo-led committee further states that some businesses have specific output targets, therefore, reducing the business working days as a result of the extension of public holidays may mean that employers would be compelled to meet the cost of salary payments for days not worked.

“Employers may also be forced to incur hefty overtime compensation due to employees working on a public holiday. Majority of employees in Kenya are casual labourers who rely on daily wages to meet their needs. A reduction in their business working days as a result of the extension of public holidays on weekdays may hinder their ability to meet the basic needs for themselves and their families,” reads part of the report.