While "Mondayising" public holidays which fall on the weekend would be a joy to many workers, the cost will be passed on to employers, says the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce general manager.
Brian Dawson said the Labour Party's idea to make Monday a statutory holiday when a public holiday falls on a weekend, as with Waitangi Day and Anzac Day this year, was not in the economy's best interests.
Labour MPs yesterday voted to "Mondayise" Waitangi Day and Anzac Day and voted to support a member's bill that would go into a ballot at Parliament.
Leader Phil Goff said it would be several years until it took effect so there would be no immediate extra cost to businesses.
Both days are non-transferable holidays, which means there is no extra day off if they fall on weekends.
Mr Dawson said employees got "the best part" of six weeks holiday at the expense of employers per year, including up to four weeks annual leave and 11 statutory holidays.
The current economic climate was not the time to pass more costs on to employers, he said. Kaikoura National MP Colin King would happily debate the issue if the bill was drawn in Parliament, saying it was important the extra day off for Waitangi Day and Anzac Day did not overshadow the significance of either occasion. Labour was politicising the issue and had every chance to make the change when they were in power, he said. "They had nine years and did nothing about it."
Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman did not have a problem with "Mondayising" the two holidays because it was not often public holidays fell on the weekend.
It would give families time to spend with each other especially for Anzac Day when many family members were involved in commemoration ceremonies.
New Zealand has 11 public holidays legislated under the Holidays Act 2003, which can only be changed by an act of Parliament. This year, Anzac Day and Easter Monday fall on the same day, something which would not happen again until 2095.
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
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