Petition For Muslim/hindu Public Holidays Reaches Debate Threshold

[mushroom25]

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/479546/Bank-Holiday-Plea-Muslims-Hindus-Parliament-Britain

if this were to be granted, all other religions may demand equal status.

in which case, would there be any days left in the calendar for actual work?

[Baldric]

When in Rome!

[jno]

well, to be fair, we could always abolish Christmas again. Would you take Diwali off work or not?

[kvalidir]

I'll be delighted to see how many ' conscientious objectors' don't take their week off for Ramadan given half a chance;-)

[mushroom25]

//Would you take Diwali off work or not? //

I don't much have an option - my work premises close on public holidays. if Diwali was a public holiday, i'd have to stay away.

[Gromit]

It is unlikely to get passed.

To make things fair they could abolish Good Friday and Easter Monday bank holidays which are a nuisance as they moves about the calendar, and replace those days with Saint George's and Saint David's Day bank Holidays.

[mushroom25]

//they could abolish Good Friday and Easter Monday bank holidays //

that won't get passed either. whilst easter moves, it's never beyond the bounds that would make the spring or summer school terms unreasonably long. on the other hand st david's day is too early and st George's day is too late.

[Svejk]

should abolish all of them. Only middle class people and Gov. workers get paid for them. ;-(

[Gromit]

// that won't get passed either //

Not while there is a gang of unelected fairytale believers installed in the House of Lords.

[heathfield]

Singapore sets the example of public holidays for a multi-ethnic society...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Singapore

[youngmafbog]

Just change our Christian holidays to something else non religious and job done.

[mcnal71]

Why not ? We cannot call easter easter, nor Christmas Christmas anymore to placate the minorities. This is supposed to be a tolerant Christian country but is being eroded every day of life. I am all for cultural integration but some things are just surrendered too easily. If roles were reversed it would not be allowed to happen, but then again this is soft touch Britain. I think in the not too distant future there will be nothing british about Britain at all, now wonder there is such a groundswell of support for UKIP, but I fear it is too late, I am Scottish, but there was a song called selling England by the pound, how prophetic .

[mikey4444]

Not sure what you mean mcnal71 ? We can't call Easter Easter, and Christmas Christmas ?...who can't call these by their names ? Not me !

[mushroom25]

think maybe mcnal is remembering this:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/210672.stm

[Baldric]

///Only middle class people and Gov. workers get paid for them///

Oh dear!

[viv38]

Not true, I'm just a humble office worker, when I finally go back after my extended maternity leave that is, and I get paid Bank holidays.

[ludwig]

If it means extra bank holidays on top of those we already get, and it applies to everyone equally then I'm all for it. I couldn't give a t0ss what the motivation behind it is - ie religion, patriotism, day of mourning, whatever.

I'm not self employed or a small business owner, so I'll take all the public holidays I can get.

[Zeuhl]

from the link

//Vinod Popat, chairman of The ­British Hindu Voice, said: “I don’t think it is a very good idea. How many festivals are there for other religions. Should they all be marked with a ­public holiday? The country would grind to a halt.”

He also pointed out a major problem: “Diwali is worked out on a lunar calendar so every year it would be on a different day. It would be impractical to set a date for it.” This year Diwali is on October 23 but next year on November 11. Eid, too, is a moveable feast, July 29 this year but July 18 in 2015.//

So not a unanimously held objective among Hindus.

[Svejk]

I've always been self-employed and I presumed all the 'agency'/zero hours workers would be in the same position, ie. no bank holiday , maternity/paternity or any other pay you didn't work for. I thought that was part of the reason firms don't directly employ people nowadays. could be wrong.