

China is reportedly mulling over a plan to promote the creation of 2.5-day weekends this summer, in order to increase tourism and family time. However, because this is China, it won’t be interfering with the standard 40-hour work week.

ECNS reports that The State Administration of Tourism is currently trying to push through these policies in multiple provinces and municipalities, including Hebei, Jiangxi and Chongqing. The plan is to offer companies incentives to let their workers leave at noon on Fridays.

Sounds awesome, right? Except workers will still be expected to work 40 hours a week. Here’s Deputy-Secretary General of the Beijing Tourism Society Liu Simin with more words to lower your expectations:

Three key points contained in this plan suggest its only a benefit for a certain group of people. Firstly, it’s not a rule, but rather a suggestion. Secondly, the plan is conditional. Lastly, it’s only applied to the summer months, rather than all-year round. Because of these stipulations, the coverage of the 2.5-day weekend is going to be very limited.”

The two-day weekend policy was only set into law in 1995, in a country where employees are often made to work weekends before and after major holidays to make up for lost time, we must admit we have our doubts about this new proposal.



By Emily Lam