Good news for government employees: The President’s office announced yesterday that civil servants will still be entitled to the full 10 days off for Thingyan this year, even though the official Thingyan holiday period has technically been shortened from 10 to five days.
“Although this Thingyan holiday period will last 10 days [for civil servants], the [five] additional holidays that we added to the [public holiday] calendar will also be recognized. This decision was also made by the pertinent governmental departments,” Presidential spokesperson Zaw Htay said on the topic, as quoted by 7Day.
The five dates that Zaw Htay referred to are the new public holiday dates that have been created in lieu of the five Thingyan holidays that were cut, which are now: November 2 during Tazaungdaing, October 4 and 6 during Thadingyut, and December 30 and 31. January 1 is also now a public holiday, although that will fall under the 2018 calendar.
Authorities announced last week that the holiday period was cut short because it was an impediment to office productivity, banking services, commerce and transportation to have businesses closed for 10 days.
The decision has elicited nationwide outcry as the Thingyan holiday is usually the only chance that most citizens who work in cities can return home and see family in other parts of the country for an extended period of time. People have also protested the fact that the announcement was made so close to Thingyan after many have already made holiday plans.
For those of us who aren’t civil servants, the official Thingyan period is now April 13 to 17.
