Counting the cost of May holidays holidays

PUBLIC holidays in May will cost Namibia nearly N$1 billion.
Based on the preliminary gross domestic product (GDP) figures for 2008 recently released by the National Planning Commission, the four public holidays this month will shrink national production by roughly N$800 million.

However, the damage to the GDP is likely to be much more as many Namibians have put in leave for two Fridays in order to enjoy long weekends: the one between Workers’ Day and Cassinga Day, and this coming Friday between Ascension Day and Africa Day.Overall Namibia’s 12 annual public holidays will cost the country approximately N$2,4 billion this year.This, however, is not where the buck stops.Every worker in Namibia is also entitled to an average of 12 sick-leave days and five days of compassionate leave. This adds up to about N$3,4 billion this year.In addition, workers are entitled to up to 24 days’ annual leave. In total this can run up to nearly N$4,8 billion. Add it all up and working Namibians can legally stay away from work for nearly two months in 2009.The price tag? About N$12 billion, or nearly 16 per cent of Namibia’s GDP in 2008.jo-mare@namibian.com.na