Sri Lanka shifts to 4-day work week to conserve oil stocks amid Hormuz crisis
India Today
Sri Lanka has moved to a four-day work week to conserve fuel as the Middle East war disrupts oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, while Bangladesh has begun rationing fuel and Pakistan has shifted offices to remote work to ease an emerging energy crunch.
As the conflict in the Middle East disrupts global oil routes, Sri Lanka has moved to a four-day work week in a bid to conserve fuel and avoid another crippling energy crisis, reported Channel News Asia.
The decision comes as the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital shipping corridors for oil, has been effectively closed following Iran’s retaliation against the US and Israel. With the conflict now entering its third week, countries heavily dependent on imported energy are scrambling to stretch supplies.
Sri Lanka, still recovering from its devastating economic meltdown in 2022, has acted swiftly to reduce fuel consumption before the situation worsens.
Officials said state institutions across the country will operate only four days a week starting Wednesday as part of emergency measures to preserve fuel reserves.
Commissioner-General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi said the new schedule will also apply to schools and universities and could remain in place indefinitely.
"We are also asking the private sector to follow suit and declare every Wednesday a holiday from now on," he told reporters after an emergency meeting chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
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