Chinese workers may get 2½-day weekend to go shopping, but public services users aren’t buying it

As state planners get ready to roll out consumer incentives, document from Hebei suggests longer weekend might be just what’s needed to stimulate local economy

But commenters voiced concern over access to public services

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Municipalities in Hebei are looking for ways to stimulate their economies and leaders think long weekends for workers might be the way to a healthier consumer scene. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:00am, 15 Jan 2019Updated: 3:39pm, 15 Jan 2019

Hebei province in northern China has proposed a 2½-day weekend to stimulate consumption, but the proposal has sparked heated debate online as to whether the idea would benefit everyone.

Municipalities in the province may add Friday afternoons to Saturdays and Sundays off, a directive published by the provincial government on its website said.

The document, which was aimed at increasing consumption during 2019 and 2020, said employers should adopt more flexible working hours and encourage leave on non-public holidays.

“Places that are prepared,” it said, can try out a 2½-day weekend.

Last week, state planners announced their intention to roll out a new set of incentives this year to encourage a billion Chinese consumers to buy more items like cars and home appliances. The move comes amid an economic downturn, falling stock markets and a trade war with the United States.

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