Slovenians getting day off on 14 August to help with flood relief

He said that people would get a day off "to help our acquaintance, neighbour, friend, everyone affected by the severe flooding".

In a video address posted on his Instagram profile, Golob said that many initiatives and proposals had come from citizens in recent days in the face of the catastrophic floods. One of them was to declare 14 August a day off so that "we can all show to those affected by the disaster that they are not alone".

"So yes, the government decided that 14 August will be solidarity day. A day when the entire Slovenia will join forces and every one of us will contribute to the best of their abilities. I am convinced Slovenia can do that," Golob said.

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) expressed criticism, saying the day of solidarity would create additional cost for companies in other parts of the country.

Moreover, the flood-stricken companies that managed to repair the damage and were planning to relaunch will also be affected by the day off. It will raise their costs on top of the flood damage they already have to deal with.

The decision will also affect companies that called off collective leaves of absence in order to respond to high demand for their products, the GZS said. It believes it would be better if, instead of a day off, the government would order that a day's labour cost be donated for flood relief.

Making 14 August a work-free day means that Slovenians will have four days off between Friday and Tuesday, a bank holiday, when Christians observe the Assumption of Mary.

The massive floods that hit the country at the end of last week have been termed the worst natural disaster since independence. Two-thirds of the country have been devastated and many have lost their homes. Six people are thought to have been killed in the storms.