Public holidays falling on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays should be transferred to Mondays or Fridays to extend the weekend, Labour MP Franco Mercieca said in Parliament this evening.

He said that this move would enable the people to better celebrate those days through improved family time. Families would also be able to make short trips, including going to Gozo.

Such a measure, he said, would be especially beneficial to Gozo, since more people would spend long weekends there, boosting its economy.

It was also well known that mid-week holidays were disruptive for business and invariable led to drops in production, the Labour MPs said.

Dr Mercieca said his proposal was nothing new and the same was done in several countries.

He said his suggestion obviously did not apply to New Year’s Day, Christmas, Good Friday or Easter, nor the feasts of St Paul or St Joseph, but it could be applicable for national holidays such as June 7, March 31, May 1, September 8, September 21 and December 13.

Official celebrations could still be held on those days, he said.