Beijingers might get 16 days off for Olympics

The preliminary draft of the legislation for the Olympic Games has been issued by the Beijing 2008 Environment Construction Command Office. The preliminary draft includes 65 Olympic laws in 5 categories and will be formally adopted in the next two years.

The legislation includes seven regulations related to current laws. Special sectors will need to make provisions and specific work plans according to the requirements of the 2008 Olympic Games.

One of the laws stipulates that during the Olympics, Beijing citizens are entitled to have two weeks off to watch the Games.

To avoid traffic jams, Beijing plans to give people holidays during the Olympics. However, they will have to work longer hours either before or after the Olympics so there will be no adjustment of salary.

This does not mean that all companies will have holidays; some industries such as retail and food and beverage may actually increase their work hours for the Olympics. It has not been decided yet exactly how many days holiday Beijingers may actually take, but it is probable that people will have 16 days holiday if their work can accommodate such an arrangement, according to the draft.

By People's Daily Online