Backing the recommendation of the Sixth Pay Commission of Karnataka government, Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge has requested Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to announce a five-day work week for all State employees, instead of the current Monday to Saturday cycle.
In a two-page letter to the Chief Minister, Mr. Kharge recommended extension of daily work hours by cutting down number of public holidays to compensate for the loss of one working day in a week. Currently, the government has declared holidays only on second Saturday and Sundays for its employees.
He suggested that the government employees work from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m., instead of the current working hours of 10.15 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Listing various benefits of the five-day week, Mr. Kharge said it would improve quality and productivity of employees and reduce absenteeism. Two days of holidays will help employees to get their personal work done. He wrote to the Chief Minister on August 29.
Based on the demand of the employees, the Sixth Pay Commission has recommended to the government to introduce five-day a week. The report was submitted to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Speaking to The Hindu, State employees welcomed the Minister’s proposal and said a five-day work week will benefit the government immensely in terms of reduction in the use of office vehicles which in turn will reduce fuel and electricity bills.