Workers international day, a day for working families.

Parents Centre is calling on the Government to declare 1 May a holiday for working families and to include it in our schedule of statutory holidays.

"Every family is a working family, and every family deserves timeout from other demands on their life, especially workplace demands. A holiday recognising working families, also recognises the work within the family, and the work it takes to maintain healthy family relationships" said Parents Centre President, Sharron Cole.

"New Zealanders only observes 10 national holidays. Many countries around the world observe twice that number. Another day off wouldn't break the bank, and would be a great opportunity to invest some time and energy in family life," Sharron Cole said.

"Working parents need time out from their busy lives to have fun with their children, and enjoy the freedom of a day off. A day dedicated to family life would highlight the need to invest more time and energy into the difficult job of parenting".

"A national holiday for working families would give everyone an opportunity to address their own work/life balance, by indulging in the serious arts of rest and recreation," said Mrs Cole.

May 1 is recognised in many countries around the world as International Workers Day - in acknowledging the establishment of the union movement. In New Zealand we celebrate Labour Day in October, when our own legislation took effect.

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