Manama: Employees in Bahrain’s public sector will have a five-day holiday to mark Eid Al Fitr.
Under a circular issued by Prime Minister Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa on Wednesday, the kingdom’s ministries, departments and public institutions will be off on the first three days of the religious occasion marking the end of Ramadan.
However, as Friday and Saturday are likely off since Eid is expected to start on Friday, the employees are given two days in lieu, extending the holiday to five days.
Most companies in the private sector will give their staff three to four days off to celebrate Eid.
The public sector regulations allow its staff to benefit from longer holidays than employees in the private sector, in addition to a five-day working week and often shorter hours and less load. Employees have also greater job stability and security.
Such perks have made the public sector more attractive to job seekers than the private sector, putting extra weight on the government to find suitable employment opportunities for them.
Bahrain has been highlighting its commitment to ensure the private sector holds an active role in driving the Kingdom’s development.
“The government will continue to implement new and improved services to support the private sector and serve the interests of citizens,” Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa said this month.
