By a vote of 325-100, with six abstentions, Russia's lower house on the first reading passed an amendment to the Labor Code that had the Kremlin's backing.
The bill eliminates the Nov. 7 and Dec. 12 public holidays, shortens the two-day May Day holiday to one day and adds a new holiday on Nov. 4 called National Unity Day. It also adds one day to the New Year break, from Jan. 1 to 5.
The provision to drop the Nov. 7 holiday, which originally commemorated the 1917 Revolution, sparked a lively debate in the Duma.
Supporters of the bill said the holiday is ideologically outdated and should be replaced with the Nov. 4 holiday, which marks the day in 1612 when Moscow was liberated from Polish occupation.
However, Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov told deputies they were rejecting their own history. "I urge you not to spit on the graves of your parents," he said.
Outside the Duma several dozen protesters denounced the proposed change. Several attempted to enter the building but were taken away by police.
Copyright 2004 by United Press International
