The leadership of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) is hoping to rack up an additional paid public holiday for working South Africans in December.

In an unusual letter penned to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the federation requested that a 12th paid public holiday be added to the eleven for the 2022 calendar year.

The matter raised by Fedusa Secretary General Riefdah Ajam is that working South Africans will only enjoy eleven out of the twelve paid public holidays as Christmas falls on a Sunday.

“Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, and in terms of the Public Holiday Act, whenever any public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be a public holiday. Consequently, Monday, December 26, 2022, the Day of Goodwill, will then be deemed to fall outside of the ambit of the Public Holidays Act,” she said.

Ajam remains resolute that working South Africans should not be dealt with a further injustice to their income security, already eroded during Covid-19, and must therefore be able to enjoy their full twelve paid public holidays.

“The federation believes that this gesture will go a long way in strengthening the workers’ morale considering the difficulties they have faced, whilst boosting economic activity during the festive season,” she said.

The federation believes that Ramaphosa should seriously consider proclaiming December 27, 2022, a paid public holiday.