With the epidemic under control, the passenger flow in Taikooli, Chengdu slowly resumed photography.
"Encourage the implementation of a flexible working system of 4.5 days a week and 2.5 days on weekends." Since March, Jiangxi, Zhejiang and other places have taken measures to actively guide cadres and workers to go out for leisure holidays on weekends, in order to boost consumption, promote economic growth and reduce the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the economy.
On March 25th, Wang Qiyan, a professor at Renmin University of China and director of China Leisure Economy Research Center, said in an interview with Chengdu Business Daily-Red Star News reporter that the income of employees in government agencies, enterprises and institutions is relatively stable, and the flexible working system is pioneered by this group. It is undoubtedly a feasible practice to promote consumption and drive a wider range of consumer groups by increasing the supply of time. Su Hainan, a special researcher in china association for labour studies, is more cautious. He said that the first thing to do to resume production at present is to ensure safety and prevent the epidemic from rebounding.
Five years ago, a 2.5-day weekly holiday was introduced.
But the implementation effect is not ideal.
On March 19th, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Government issued "About laying a good ‘ Combination boxing ’ Notice to boost tourism consumption. " It is mentioned that all localities and units should optimize their work arrangements according to the actual situation. In the second quarter of this year, they will try out 2.5 days of flexible work and rest on weekends and actively guide cadres and workers to go out for leisure and vacation on weekends. The working hours reduced by flexible work and rest can be compensated by extending the length of other working days.
Recently, the "Implementation Opinions of the General Office of the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province on Boosting Consumption and Promoting Stable Economic Growth" issued by Zhejiang Province mentioned that it encourages the implementation of a 4.5-day flexible working week and supports qualified organs, social organizations, enterprises and institutions to implement the paid vacation system.
In fact, encouraging the implementation of flexible working system is nothing new. In the Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Further Promoting Tourism Investment and Consumption issued in August 2015, it is mentioned that flexible work and rest are encouraged, and places and units with conditions can optimize and adjust summer work and rest arrangements according to the actual situation, creating favorable conditions for employees to go out for leisure and vacation on Friday afternoons and weekends. Since then, more than 10 provinces, including Hebei and Chongqing, have issued opinions to encourage flexible work and rest for 2.5 days, but after five years, the implementation effect is not ideal.
Why is it difficult to implement?
Experts say that labor efficiency is relatively low.
The reason is that Wang Qiyan, a professor at China Renmin University and director of China Leisure Economy Research Center, believes that in the final analysis, the labor efficiency is relatively low.
Regarding the voice on the Internet that "two weekends are difficult to implement, not to mention flexible working system", Wang Qiyan believes that if society wants to make progress, there will always be some people who have to sacrifice, such as those who stand at the forefront of science and technology. There are still some groups, because of the characteristics of the industry or the particularity of the occupation, who can’t reach the average rest standard, which is also a reality.
4.5-day flexible working system
How much effect does it have on stimulating consumption?
From the perspective of stimulating consumption, Su Hainan thinks that the effect is not necessarily great.
He said that industries with relatively high wages and relatively stable incomes are willing to spend if they are given more rest time under safe circumstances. But for many employees of small and medium-sized enterprises, especially migrant workers, the first consideration may not be how to spend, but how to earn money quickly and maintain a normal life.
Su Hainan suggested that consumption should be gradually restored while ensuring safety. In the process of restoring consumption, people must be isolated according to the relevant requirements and regulations of epidemic prevention, and retaliatory consumption in crowded places is not advocated, because there are still risks. "Don’t look at the possibility that the turnover has come up, but if there is another infection in Covid-19, it will be terrible."