US President Donald Trump has stated that official holidays in the US are costing the economy billions of dollars in losses.
In a post on his Truth Social network, made on Juneteenth Day, a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, Trump wrote: " There are too many holidays in America. It's costing us billions to keep businesses closed."
He added that workers don't want these days off and warned that changes will be needed if America wants to "become great again."
However, the economic impact of the holidays is not always negative, writes CNN.
Many sectors – such as trade, tourism and services – benefit significantly during public holidays, thanks to increased consumption and promotional activities. Small businesses also benefit: a British study showed that bank holidays bring an average of around $340 in additional profits to small shops.
Although holidays come at a cost for some sectors, they also boost consumption, improve employee well-being and can contribute to more sustainable economic growth in the long term.
Top Channel