JCCI APPALLED THAT NOV 1 TO BE A PUBLIC HOLIDAY

JOHANNESBURG Aug 30 Sapa

It was appalled by a cabinet decision to make local elections
day, November 1, a public holiday, the Johannesburg Chamber of
Commerce said on Wednesday.

In a statement, chief executive Marius de Jager said yet
another ad hoc public holiday would give the wrong impression of
South Africa's commitment to a work ethic.

"We regret that the Gauteng economy has to be brought to
standstill for an entire day for people to vote. Employers would
have been extremely flexible in making arrangements for their
employees to vote.

"The creation of a public holiday creates a disruption to the
economy which the country can ill afford."

De Jager said it was uneccessary for another working day to be
lost as voters were aware of voting procedures. There were three
more public holidays this year than in 1994, he added.

"We appeal to cabinet to urgently review this decision."