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01 May 2008 | Socio-Political | Si Pin

Today is Labour Day. Hope all the working class folks, (including myself) will have a restful day ahead.

Some years ago while on a working trip to China, we had the unfortunate ’sense’ of visiting the Country around the week covering 1st May. To our dismal, most of our schedule were ‘out of sync’ as we only found out too late that almost all agencies in China celebrate a ‘week long’ Labour Day.

A very apologetic host also shook her head while we go from province to province only to face the reply, “I’m sorry, could you come back next week as all our comrades have left for home during this week-long May Holiday”

Only then did it sink into our consciousness. What do you expect of the largest Communist Country, except to have one of its longest public holiday center around their huge labour force, second only to the Chinese Lunar New Year in terms of length.

Me and my colleagues, we literally took the week off to explore the beautiful scenery and tourist attraction only to return to China a few months after that. But this time, we made sure there were no holidays looming in our itinirary.

Hope all the working fathers and mothers and granparents can take today off to share a ‘moment’ with their love ones. Go enjoy the restaurants, watch a movie, build a Starship with your kid, or just give your wife a scrub in the back. Let’s bring back some family togetherness. I wish you a happy Labour Day.