NSW: Govt urges NSW workers to use 22 million leave days

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2006
NSW: Govt urges NSW workers to use 22 million leave days

SYDNEY, Dec 20 AAP - NSW workers should use the Christmas period to take some 22 million
days of banked-up leave, Tourism Minister Sandra Nori says.

Ms Nori also urged holidaymakers to take the opportunity to visit the state's regions
to boost domestic tourism figures.

She said nationally, Australians had accrued 70 million days of unpaid leave, of which
more than 22 million were estimated to be held by NSW workers.

"This is a great way to help achieve the target of increasing tourist visitation in
the Iemma Government's 10-Year State Plan, simply by seeing employees use some of their
accrued leave to take a break in NSW," Ms Nori said.

The state's peak business organisation Australian Business Limited (ABL) echoed Ms
Nori's message.

"There is plenty of room for everyone to spread out on a beach, or enjoy the fruits
of a vineyard, or enjoy a movie under the stars in NSW", said Kevin MacDonald, CEO of
ABL State Chamber.

"Employers should have policies ensuring that staff take regular leave - there is no
business value in carrying holidays as debt on the books, or having staff burn out. Encouraging
regular holidays is good business practice."

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KEYWORD: XMAS LEAVE

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