Six-day work week likely for government employees soon

JAIPUR: The state government has in principle taken a decision to shift to six-day working week from five-day for the government employees. According to reliable sources, it could come any time as the file is currently with chief minister Vasundhara Raje.

Whether this unpleasant decision comes as a package with the announcement of the Seventh Pay Commission or as a standalone announcement is yet to be seen considering the fact that the employees unions are strongly opposing this measure.

According to sources, there was an informal discussion in the last Cabinet meeting on this issue and the preparations are in full swing for the changeover. The employees unions are, however, opposing it.

They said that it is a ploy to put the blame of government's non-performance on employees.

It may be noted that the BJP government in 2008 under the same chief minister switched over to the five day week sy stem from six day week for the government employees.

Abhimanyu Sharma, president of the Rajasthan secretariat employees Union said, "This same BJP government made the five day week for government employees and it should explain the reason for the sudden change of heart.We, employees are putting in the same hours of work though working only five days then what is the need of this change," he asked.

He said five day week would help the employees who are working away from their ho mes to go to their villages to attend to their family commitments as well.

"we are opposed to the move. The government should have at least discussed the matter with the employee's representatives. The 7th Pay Commission had made no such recommendations," Manoj Saxena of the Rajasthan State Ministerial Union said.

The union leaders say it is part of the ploy on the part of the government to assuage the people who complain of not getting their work done by victimizing the employees.