Majority of Russians against cancellation of long New Year holidays - poll

UFA, 27 June 2017. /Bashinform News Agency, Gulfiya Akulova/. The deputies of the State Duma of the Russian Federation suggest cancelling long New Year holidays in Russia. The Communist Party faction introduced a bill to the lower chamber of the parliament proposing to exclude the New Year holidays from the list of non-working days, making the holidays only on December 31 and January 1. The authors of the document explained their initiative by wishes of Russian citizens who, at the beginning of the new year, "remain without salary and demand to return the working days in full." However, it is proposed to approve two more days off in Russia: on March 18, to celebrate the Day of the reunification of Crimea with Russia and November 7 - October Revolution Day.

The Superjob Research Centre found out Russian residents opinion regarding such changes. The survey showed an extremely negative attitude towards the cancellation of the long New Year holidays. 71% of respondents opposed, only one in five (20%) agreed to work in the first days of the new year. "This is the only time of the year when the whole family can get together at home when children are on vacation and have time to visit relatives and friends", the respondents said.

But the proposal to make December 31 an official day off was treated unambiguously positive: 86% in favour of it at 8% against.

The idea to return the day off on November 7 was met with great enthusiasm, 56% of respondents in favour, 25% - opposed.

Make March 18 - the day of the reunification of Crimea with Russia – an official holiday was approved by 40% of Russians, 43% were against. "Accession of Crimea is a landmark event for our country. It should be preserved in history," almost every second respondent thinks so.