Five-day week for state govt employees?

At least 18 lakh state government employees might soon get two days off in a week. An announcement to this effect is likely to be made on May 1 that happens to be Maharashtra Day as well as Labour Day.

A proposal to have a five-day working week in the state government was approved by the services cell of the General Administration Department (GAD) a few weeks ago, said Nandkumar Jantre, secretary, GAD. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has given the proposal his nod. It is now expected to reach the state cabinet after CM Prithviraj Chavan approves it too.

A five-day week system would improve the productivity of employees, said GD Kulthe, general secretary, Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers Federation.

Once the proposal is approved, the government will increase its daily working hours by 45 minutes to compensate for the loss of one day’s work (Saturday).

Key government corporations like MMRDA, Sicom and Cidco have already started following the five-day week. Other government departments close on second and fourth Saturdays.