The General Workers’ Union said the government should honour what it was told by the International Labour Organisation on public holidays falling on weekends, and change the position at law to how it stood in 2005.

In a statement, the GWU said that during a meeting of the Employment Relations Board held yesterday, it made its position clear that it was not ready to accept an agreement on public holidays.

As from 2006, employees are no longer granted extra days’ leave in compensation for public holidays falling on a weekend.

The GWU said that after the government changes the law, it will be ready to enter into negotiations.

According to the GWU, the ILO had recommended to the government not to interfere in collective agreements reached between unions and employers, including on matters regarding public holidays falling on weekends.