A businessman desperate to ‘preserve Australia Day’ has taken the incredible step of offering his staff an extra day off simply for celebrating the public holiday.
Nick Neda, who founded Melbourne-based start-up Ineda last year, made his unique announcement to staff recently in the face of debate about the national holiday.
But Mr Neda’s attempt at ‘celebrating the country’ has been met with criticism, with people slamming him online and calling him ‘racist’.
‘What about Aboriginal people, do you plan to make mention of them?’, one person posted on the bsuiness’ Facebook page.
Another posted: ‘How would you feel if your country got taken over because you were considered an animal?’.
Despite the criticism, Mr Neda told Daily Mail Australia the move was aimed at encouraging employees to celebrate Australia no matter their background.
Nick Neda is offering his staff an extra day off simply for celebrating Australia Day in a bid to preserve the national holiday
Mr Neda is encouraging his employees to celebrate the national holiday in true Aussie style
‘Our office is very culturally diverse with people from all over the world and because of that I thought let’s make sure they celebrate Australia Day and understand cultural diversity,’ Mr Neda said.
‘Australia Day for me and my team and my family is an important day for us, but I’m not into all the politics around it.
‘It’s about Australia as a country and what makes us beautiful, the people are from all different cultures and that’s what makes us great.’
Under the move Ineda employees will have to take photos showing themselves with family and friends celebrating Australia Day.
In return they’ll get Monday, January 29 off, a deal Mr Neda said all were rapt about.
‘They were very appreciative, they understand why we’re doing it and what we are trying to achieve which is simply to celebrate Australia,’ he said.
Football legend Robert DiPierdomenico (pictured), who is an ambassador for the company, has thrown his support behind the move claiming Australia Day has become too politicised
His bold move has been backed by football legend Robert DiPierdomenico, who is an ambassador for the goods and services company.
‘Dipper’, who played 240 for Hawthorn in the AFL, told the Herald Sun he believes it has become far too politicised.
‘We all come from different cultures but have one thing in common… we’re proud Aussies,’ DiPierdomenico said.