Govt.'s enthusiasm, employees' exhaustion

The declaration by the newly elected Prime Minister to work on Saturday is definitely a sign of vigorous passion for duty. Since the government has enormous political, economic, and social challenges to overcome, and as it is newly formed, this initiative can undoubtedly be considered a positive step to sustain momentum and enthusiasm.
However, there is a concern that this decision may eventually become a regular practice in both public and private sectors, making Saturday a mandatory working day. If such a policy is enforced, employees will often have no option but to comply with their organisation's directive. A declaration that is primarily intended for the government to expedite its own responsibilities might gradually be extended to all job sectors, which could cause dissatisfaction among employees.
In reality, the private sector already requires employees to work more than eight hours a day due to heavy workloads, manpower shortages, and target-driven operations. If the weekly holiday is reduced from two days to one, it may negatively affect productivity rather than improve it.
Therefore, if such a measure becomes necessary, the government should ensure additional payment for both public and private sector employees for the extra working day. It should also be implemented on a rotational or rostering basis to maintain balance and fairness. Otherwise, adopting Saturday as a regular working day may not be sustainable. At the same time, the newly elected government should look into the daily working hours, ensuring both productivity and the overall well being of employees.

Kawsik Azad Pronoy
A Banker