De Peiza: Public holidays must be observed

While businesses will suffer financial losses, there can be no alterations to the observance of the annual religious holidays, and important national holidays such as May Day, Independence Day and Kadooment Day.

This was the stance of General Secretary of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB), Dennis De Peiza, in a statement sent to the press yesterday.

He made the remarks against the backdrop of comments made by Executive Director of the Barbados Employers’ Confederation (BEC), Sheena Mayers-Granville, that the public holidays of Good Friday, National Heroes Day, Easter Monday and May Day are amounting to $48 million in losses to the economy.

De Peiza therefore questioned which sectors were being severely impacted by the 13 bank holidays on the Barbadian calendar.

Speaking on the BEC’s argument that public holidays provide opportunities to increase tourism activity, De Peiza noted that the opening of places of business on bank holidays, and particularly at times where there is high tourist traffic on the island, could eventuate in an increased volume of business activity and revenue generation.

He also highlighted that the introduction of a 24-hour work day and flexi-time would help in an increase in productivity.

“Against the backdrop of our ailing economy, CTUSAB recognises the importance of putting measures in place towards keeping persons employed, and in maintaining production levels and productivity. To this end, the Congress contends that the move to fully integrate the 24-hour work day and flexible working hours can be part of the solution, whereby businesses which fall under the Shops Act, undertake to open their doors on public holidays outside of those designated as closed days. It is important that employers, however, recognise and respect the rights of workers to be paid twice as much as the ordinary rate, and not to be penalised for refusing to work on their day of religious worship,” he added.