SINGAPOREANS will get fewer long weekends next year.
Five out of the 11 public holidays will fall on a Friday or a Sunday next year, according to the schedule of public holidays in 2011 released by the Ministry of Manpower on Wednesday.
Singaporeans enjoy seven long weekends last year and this year. Next year, they will only get five.
The first day of Chinese New Year next year will fall on a Thursday, giving a four-day stretch for the festivities.
Labour Day, Hari Raya Haji and Christmas Day will fall on Sundays, which makes the following Mondays official day offs. Together with Good Friday, these four public holidays will add an extra day off to the weekends.
Deepavali next year is scheduled for Oct 26, a Wednesday, but the date has to be checked against the Indian Almanac and may change as a result, said the ministry.
-- ST