THE GOVERNMENT can't seem to make up its mind on the two-day holiday issue, which has suddenly become a central theme for Jordanians. The proposal, initiated by the government without prior public debate, is now a case in point, indicating that governments are not always the best judge on public interest. Harsh words? Yes, but the controversy surrounding the two-day holiday proposal and the government's feeble defence of its position on the issue have only succeeded in confusing the general public.
It took the government more than a month to make its intentions clear on the issue. The Lower House listened this week without a great deal of conviction to the Prime Minister mincing words about why he and his government believe that a two-day weekly holiday is a good thing for Jordan. As it turned out, the Prime Minister knew as much about the issue as the rest of us. He too is not sure why taking an extra day off has suddenly become a pressing matter. He is not sure if the extra day should be on Thursday or Saturday. We know what he would like, personally, but what about the rest of us?
Deputies too were undecided about what they wanted. They spoke about social side-effects, bureaucratic sluggishness and the need to solve our economic problems. But in a typical reaction, they disagreed, agreed, disagreed again and finally called for a further study.
The only ones whose opinion has not been voiced are the Jordanian people, those whose lives will be affected the most by the two-day holiday.
This paper has no position on the matter, yet. But what we know is that the private sector, through its representatives, has so far rejected the proposal. It says Jordanian have too many days off a year already, more than any of the developed countries. Why add an extra 52 days off when we know that our economy is ailing? Economists also differ on the problem. Some welcome the proposal, others vehemently oppose it. But simple logic suggests that when business is down, when you're in debt, when you can't create enough jobs and when you ask the world for financial help, you don't just treat yourself to a holiday. You keep working and working.
It is ironic that such a crucial matter, affecting our economic and social well-being, has not been given serious study by the government and its economic experts. If it is good for Jordan, then the government should spell it out in facts and figures. If not, then facts and figures should speak for themselves.
Finally, the government seems to have skipped the fact that Jordan is a democracy where people should have a say on matters affecting their lives, work, and daily routine. No one bothered to ask the people what they want. This is not an innocent oversight, it reflects a mode of thinking and behavior on part of the government.
We want a transparent government, one that goes back to the people, from which all authorities originate, and asks them what they think, but only after it outlines the pros and cons of the issue, something that this government has failed to do.