Islamabad : As many as (57%) Pakistanis prefer 6 working days each week with reduced hours while 36% approve of two holidays in a week with longer working hours.
Furthermore, Pakistanis belonging to lower income groups are less inclined towards two weekly holidays as compared to those belonging to relatively higher income groups, said the findings of a survey conducted by Gilani Research Foundation/Gallup Pakistan. In a survey, a nationally representative sample of men and women from across the country were asked the following question: “In your view, should there be 2 days off each week with longer hours on working days or 1 day off and shorter hours on working days?” Fifty seven percent (57%) said they preferred 6 working days a week with shorter working hours while 36% approved of 5 working days a weekwith longer working hours.Interestingly, the data reveals that respondents belonging to lower income groups were less in favor of 2 weekly holidays as compared to respondents belonging to relatively higher income categories; while only 34% respondents earning upto Rs. 7000 a month said they would want 2 days off every week, 44% respondents earning more than Rs. 30,000 expressed this opinion. The study was released by Gilani foundation and carried out by Gallup Pakistan, the Pakistani affiliate of Gallup International. The recent survey was carried out among a sample of 2738 men and women in rural and urban areas of all four provinces of the country, during April 2011. Error margin is estimated to be approximately + 2-3 per cent at 95% confidence level. PPI 