Cosatu, Fedusa hail public holiday declaration
Trade union federations Cosatu and Fedusa have welcomed the decision to declare 27 December a public holiday.
President Cyril Ramaphosa made the declaration on Thursday morning, saying it is in lieu of Christmas Day falling on a Sunday.
Whenever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, South Africans get to enjoy it on a Monday.
This year the Monday after Christmas commemorates the Day of Goodwill, which is another public holiday.
Cosatu says the alternative would have seen workers losing out on both holiday pay and rest time during the public holiday.
“Most South African workers are migrant workers and they do not get enough time to go home and spend quality time with their families,” the federation said in a statement.
“This decision will greatly benefit these workers and ensure that spent quality time with their families after a long year’s hard work.”
Fedusa believes South Africans have them to thank for the additional public holiday, saying they sent a request to the president months ago.
“Had Fedusa not intervened, this would have seen South African workers losing out on a paid holiday as the 27th of December would have been an ordinary working day,” the federation said.
“Fedusa is pleased that President Ramaphosa has heeded the workers' pleas, further giving us comfort about his commitment to the yet-to-be-realised social compact.
“As a federation that believes in consultative processes, the decision could not have come at a better time following weeks of discussions with the president's office over the matter.”
Fedusa believes South Africans have them to thank for the additional public holiday, saying the federation sent a request to the president months ago.
“Had Fedusa not intervened, this would have seen South African workers losing out on a paid holiday as the 27th of December would have been an ordinary working day,” the federation said.
“Fedusa is pleased that President Ramaphosa has heeded the workers' pleas, further giving us comfort about his commitment to the yet-to-be-realised social compact.
“As a federation that believes in consultative processes, the decision could not have come at a better time following weeks of discussions with the president's office over the matter.”
