Malawi’s 170, 000 civil servants have again been given a long holiday this festive season starting from December 16,2013 to January 3,2014, They will only report for duties on January 6.

A statement from the Office of the |President and Cabinet (OPC) said the President has granted the holiday “to allow civil servants ample time to celebrate the Christmas and New Year festive season with their families.”

But those who provide emergency and essential services such as medical, security and immigration will not break during the festive season, the OPC said.

The statement said Controlling Officers of such Ministries or Departments are required to make appropriate arrangements to ensure that such civil servants who shall work during this period are allowed leave of absence from duty for an equivalent number of days in the course of the New Year.

It advises that the special dispensation to civil servants is not a declaration of Public Holidays in Malawi in respect of the days in question.

With the declaration it would mean that government will save millions of Kwacha as all government vehicles would be grounded and money meant for allowances saved.

Malawi government has embarked on an economic austerity measures following aid freeze by donors due to financial plunder at Capital Hill, the seat of government.