Better if Aug 11 were a public holiday instead

I am thankful that Friday, Aug 7, was declared a public holiday so that Singaporeans can have a super long weekend to rest and celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday (“Aug 7 declared a public holiday for SG50 celebrations”; March 14, online).

Only those who do not have to work Saturdays, however, will get to enjoy the full four days of the holiday. Many others will have to return to work on Saturday after the additional day off and then get two rest days.

It would have been good if workers with this schedule were given more consideration and, instead of Friday, the Tuesday following the National Day public holiday had been declared the additional public holiday.

We would at least get three days of continuous holiday, without affecting those who do not work on Saturdays, who would still get a four-day weekend.

Nevertheless, we are thankful for an extra day off this year, but I hope people with a five-and-a-half-day working week will get a longer holiday in future, and we can feel more appreciated for the extra half day we put in weekly.