The Romanian government decided on Monday that May 2 will be a day off for public servants and other state employees, thus allowing them a short holiday from May 1, the International Workers Day, to May 4, Romanian news television Antena 3 informs.

They will have to work, however, on May 24 to cover for their May 2 day off. Parliamentarians decided last month that public servants should receive more days off but Romania's President Traian Basescu refused to sign the law as he wants other days to be officially declared days off.