Goodbye Golden Week?
THE National Development and Reform Commission conducted a massive online poll last Friday. It sought the public's input on a new holiday plan to cut the May Day holiday from three days to one day. Three traditional festivals would be added as a replacement.People worry they will be deprived of a vacation. The labor contract law stipulates that employees can take paid vacations, but without sufficient enforcement these are merely empty promises. Despite all the inconveniences and difficulties, the Golden Weeks guarantee that people can take three week-long vacations in a year. If the paid vacation can't be implemented, abolishing a Golden Week will certainly cause dissatisfaction and anxiety among the public.
Why has this plan caused so much controversy? It's true people complain about crowded tourist destinations during the holidays. But does that really mean all of them want to give up a big chunk of holiday time? The policymakers need to listen to public voices in a more comprehensive way and discuss the draft thoroughly before making any decisions. Government officials have also hinted in various public statements that they have more or less made up their mind about abolishing the May Day Golden Week. They say \"the plan won't change too much\", which reflects a preexistent bias in the policymakers' opinion. That is not fair. They shouldn't seek to prejudice public opinion like that on a major policy change, even before the decisions is officially made.
Many worry that the new holiday plan would break up their previously large chunk of holiday time into several one-day holidays. Some fear this will make it impossible to travel long distances. Others point out that without the May Day Golden Week, more people would be forced to travel during the National Day holiday and Spring Festival. This, they say, will add to the strains on transportation and other services. Such complex complaints are not reflected in the poll. The questions don't give respondents enough opportunity to adequately express their opinions. They have no choice but to say \"yes\". The poll should be redesigned to make sure different public opinions are all given sufficient voice.
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