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Yahya Jammeh gives Gambians an extra day off | Yahya Jammeh gives Gambians an extra day off |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The Gambia has started a four-day week for public sector workers, with Fridays now an extra day off. | The Gambia has started a four-day week for public sector workers, with Fridays now an extra day off. |
President Yahya Jammeh has said the shorter week will give The Gambia's mainly Muslim population more time to pray, socialise and tend to fields. | President Yahya Jammeh has said the shorter week will give The Gambia's mainly Muslim population more time to pray, socialise and tend to fields. |
Mr Jammeh, who took power in a bloodless coup in 1994, is known for his eccentric behaviour. | Mr Jammeh, who took power in a bloodless coup in 1994, is known for his eccentric behaviour. |
Critics say his latest decision will promote laziness and disrupt the poor West African state's economy. | Critics say his latest decision will promote laziness and disrupt the poor West African state's economy. |
Agriculture, especially peanut exports, forms the backbone of The Gambia's economy. | Agriculture, especially peanut exports, forms the backbone of The Gambia's economy. |
It is also a popular tourist destination, because of its beaches. | It is also a popular tourist destination, because of its beaches. |
Schools given choice | Schools given choice |
Most people in The Gambia, which has a population of about 1.8 million, are Muslims for whom Friday is a day of prayer. | Most people in The Gambia, which has a population of about 1.8 million, are Muslims for whom Friday is a day of prayer. |
Thursdays and Fridays or Fridays and Saturdays are non-working days in most of the Muslim world but some say this disrupts work with Western countries, who have Saturdays and Sundays off. | |
In a statement last month, Mr Jammeh's office said that from 1 February, the working times in the public sector would be Mondays to Thursdays from 08:00 to 18:00. | In a statement last month, Mr Jammeh's office said that from 1 February, the working times in the public sector would be Mondays to Thursdays from 08:00 to 18:00. |
"This new arrangement will allow Gambians to devote more time to prayers, social activities and agriculture - going back to the land and grow what we eat and eat what we grow, for a healthy and wealthy nation." | "This new arrangement will allow Gambians to devote more time to prayers, social activities and agriculture - going back to the land and grow what we eat and eat what we grow, for a healthy and wealthy nation." |
The statement said state schools would also be closed on Fridays, but were free to open on Saturdays to compensate for the lost day. | The statement said state schools would also be closed on Fridays, but were free to open on Saturdays to compensate for the lost day. |
Until now, government employees have been working a five-day week, from 08:00 to 16:00. | Until now, government employees have been working a five-day week, from 08:00 to 16:00. |
The change means they would still work a 40-hour week, but critics say it would be disruptive. | The change means they would still work a 40-hour week, but critics say it would be disruptive. |
They point out that the private sector would still work on Fridays, but would not be able to do any business with the government on that day. | They point out that the private sector would still work on Fridays, but would not be able to do any business with the government on that day. |
In 2007, Mr Jammeh announced that he could cure HIV-Aids in just three days with a special potion of secret herbs. | In 2007, Mr Jammeh announced that he could cure HIV-Aids in just three days with a special potion of secret herbs. |
This was widely condemned by medical professionals around the world. | This was widely condemned by medical professionals around the world. |
Mr Jammeh has also been accused of human rights abuses. | Mr Jammeh has also been accused of human rights abuses. |
Last year, nine prisoners on death row were executed by firing squad, with the president vowing to kill all death row inmates within weeks. | Last year, nine prisoners on death row were executed by firing squad, with the president vowing to kill all death row inmates within weeks. |
He later suspended 37 other executions after an international outcry. | He later suspended 37 other executions after an international outcry. |
Are you in Gambia? What's your reaction to the four day week? Send us your comments using the form below |