Kerala Government Explores Transition to Five-Day Working Week for State Employees
Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant development for Kerala's administrative workforce, Chief Secretary A Jayathilak convened a crucial meeting with representatives from various government service organizations on Friday. The primary agenda centered on the long-pending proposal to implement a five-day working week for state government employees, a move that has been under discussion for an extended period.
Broad Support with Sector-Specific Reservations
According to sources present at the discussions, the proposal received general welcome from most service organizations participating in the dialogue. However, notable reservations emerged from unions representing the health sector, highlighting operational constraints unique to hospitals and medical colleges that differ substantially from secretariat or departmental offices.
Employee organizations agreed in principle that reducing the number of working days could be balanced by revising daily working hours. Union representatives calculated that a five-day week would effectively reduce weekly working hours by approximately seven hours, a reduction they believe could be reasonably compensated through extended hours on remaining workdays.
Current Schedule and Proposed Adjustments
Presently, government offices in Kerala operate from 10:15 AM to 5:15 PM, incorporating a 45-minute lunch break between 1:15 PM and 2:00 PM. One model discussed during the meeting proposed shifting office hours to 9:30 AM through 5:30 PM, while reducing lunch breaks by fifteen minutes. Unions expressed willingness to consider such adjustments provided Saturdays were officially declared holidays.
Flexibility and Implementation Concerns
Employee representatives emphasized the need for flexible implementation, particularly for staff commuting from distant districts. They suggested that employees arriving late due to extensive travel times should be permitted to compensate by working beyond 5:30 PM rather than being marked late. Furthermore, they demanded formal recognition of flexi-time arrangements within any revised system.
Service organizations criticized the government for lacking a clear agenda or detailed proposal, noting the absence of specific documentation to guide substantive discussions.
Financial Implications and Employee Welfare Considerations
M S Ershad, President of the Kerala Secretariat Association (KSA), voiced support for the proposal in principle, highlighting potential substantial savings for the government without additional expenditure. "Significant reductions in overhead expenses like power and water charges would occur," Ershad stated. "Additionally, fuel costs for government vehicles operating on Saturdays would represent major revenue savings for the government."
However, KSA simultaneously struck a cautionary note, observing that the proposal did not originate from specific employee demands. The association expressed suspicion that the initiative might be driven more by government attempts to reduce administrative expenditure than genuine employee welfare considerations.
Broader Context and Political Dimensions
The discussions gained particular relevance against a backdrop of growing employee discontent regarding pending dearness allowance arrears and other service-related issues. Sources indicated the government might be keen to reach a decision before election announcements, as the move is widely perceived as employee-friendly and could have political implications.
The meeting attracted representatives from nearly 80 service organizations, including major NGO unions, associations, joint councils, and secretariat employee bodies, reflecting the broad interest in this potential policy shift.
One point of unanimous opposition emerged regarding any suggestion to reduce existing leave benefits, including casual leave and holidays, following the Union government system. Employee organizations firmly rejected such possibilities, emphasizing preservation of current entitlements.
