After a long period of debate, the two-day weekend will go into effect in Taiwan in January, 1998. Everyone's life will become a little different. Yet some Westerners who live in Taiwan, especially church-goers, will be unable to avoid heaving a sigh of regret: This year will be "the last Christmas in Taiwan."

Starting in 1998, two Saturdays every month will continue to be half work days (previously all Saturdays had been half work days). And eight national holidays will be adjusted to fall on a Saturday. Overall, 24 (half-day) working Saturdays will become full days off, and eight national holidays will be effectively eliminated. Working hours will thus be slightly reduced.

According to the strategy of the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD), in order to moderate the impact the two-day weekend will have on industry, next year two-day weekends will only occur every other week, and a number of national holidays will be "adjusted." In addition, the plan will begin with governmental organizations; private enterprises will not be forced to participate. After the first phase has been successfully implemented, and the average income has grown to a certain level, a full two-day weekend will go into effect.

When the bi-weekly two-day weekend is first put into effect, the people of Taiwan may find the situation a little unfamiliar. For example, such financial institutions as the stock market and banks will be closed every other Saturday. Some enterprises which must operate in coordination with government working hours may also be affected. Therefore, the CEPD recommends that businesses negotiate with labor to work out new schedules. And the personnel at many government agencies will take turns working on alternate Saturdays, so as not to reduce the number of operating days. Libraries, music halls, hospitals and other public places must continue to stay open. Shopping, travel, dining and other entertainment or service enterprises may in fact increase their working time. However, entrepreneurs are not worried that costs will increase; on the contrary, they are rolling up their sleeves in anticipation of new opportunities for profit.

Not only personnel in the civil service will be enjoying a two-day weekend; the Ministry of Education has decided that when schools resume classes after winter vacation next year, they will also have a biweekly two-day weekend. On the other hand, in the past on Confucius' birthday (September 28), schools closed, but on that day next year, students and teachers alike must be in the classroom.

The year's end is approaching, and only one national holiday remains: Constitution Day. Its date coincidentally falls on Christmas day, and as commercialism has swept Taiwanese society, the colorful ambiance of this Western holiday has for many years overshadowed the original reason for Constitution Day. The many Christians on Taiwan have had no need to worry about time restrictions for such Christmas Eve activities as midnight mass and Christmas caroling, because there has been no work the next day. Many Westerners living on Taiwan have also found it extremely convenient to celebrate Christmas day according to tradition by gathering with their loved ones at home. Of course, many young Taiwanese who use the occasion as the chance for a raucous frolic have been free to let loose as well. Nevertheless, this time next year, Constitution Day will technically be included as part of a mere two-day weekend. On December 25, 1997 we shall witness Taiwan's final Christmas day.