SINGAPORE: The issue of whether Singaporeans have enough public holidays is a recurring one, and commenters online have, from time to time, expressed envy because other areas in the region have more.
Singapore has only 11 public holidays, which many people feel is too few, especially in comparison with other countries. Malaysia, for example, can observe between 21 and 25 public holidays per year, depending on the authorities of each state. Taiwan, meanwhile, observes between 10 and 15 public holidays annually.
The 11 public holidays in Singapore are New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year’s Eve and Day, Good Friday, Hari Raya Puasa, Labour Day, Vesak Day, Hari Raya Haji, National Day, Deepavali, and Christmas Day.
On the other hand, Hong Kong has 17 public holidays, including the Qingming Festival, Easter Monday, Buddha’s Birthday, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, in addition to some of the holidays also observed in Singapore.
Even politicians have joined the discussion. In February, former Progress Singapore Party Non-constituency Member of Parliament Hazel Poa suggested during the Budget debate that Singapore’s public holidays should be increased to 14, primarily to improve workers’ work-life balance.
Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim, meanwhile, has argued that Thaipusam should be reinstated as a public holiday, saying in March that this is long overdue. Thaipusam had been removed, along with several other holidays, to raise economic competitiveness and productivity. However, E.W. Barker, the Minister for Law and Economic Development at the time it was removed, stated that if Singapore prospered, he was certain the number of holidays would increase again.
“It seems fair, not just for the Hindu community but for all hardworking Singaporeans, to bring us closer to the average number of holidays for advanced economies. We should reinstate Thaipusam as a national holiday,” Assoc Prof Lim said.
When WP candidate Paris V Parameswari reiterated the call during the party’s rally on April 29, she got the loudest applause of the night.
More recently, local Reddit users brought the topic up again. Although the context was a letter published on ST Forum suggesting that Fridays should be declared public holidays in the years when the holiday itself falls on a Saturday, many commenters chose to highlight how few public holidays Singapore has.
One Reddit user argued that more public holidays are needed in the second half of the year, adding, “After Haji we’re left with just three public holidays to look forward to from Jul to Dec.”
Another agreed, writing, “After National Day, there is a long stretch without a holiday for a breather. Not because people are lazy and want a holiday. It’s for a bit of breathing space. Singapore is too tiny and tight.”
“11 PH in this day and age is embarrassing,” a commenter chimed in.
Another, however, had a different take, saying that instead of more public holidays, workers in Singapore should be given more paid annual leave.
“The mandated minimum is seven days, although in practice most employers give something like 14 to 21 days. I think we can reasonably up it to a mandated 21 days,” they wrote. /TISG