Title: Iran Proposes Streamlined Government Work Week to Enhance Efficiency and Family Life
Tehran – In a significant administrative development, the Iranian government is considering a major restructuring of the official work week for state employees. A proposal currently under parliamentary review aims to grant the government greater flexibility in scheduling, potentially establishing a standard work week from Saturday to Wednesday.
Empowering Government, Ensuring Fairness
Ali Jafari Azar, a member of the parliament’s Social Commission, clarified the intent behind the proposed amendments to the Country’s Civil Service Management Law. “The goal of reforming Article 87 is to provide the government with more authority in determining official working days and to observe fairness in the distribution of working hours,” Jafari Azar stated.
He emphasized that the proposed changes are designed to bring more order and efficiency to the public sector’s operational calendar.
Clarifying Scope and Essential Services
The lawmaker was quick to clarify the scope of the potential change, noting that it would apply exclusively to regular government offices. The private sector would not be bound by this regulation.
Furthermore, he assured that essential and operational service sectors will remain unaffected. “Under no circumstances will key operational and service sectors such as water, electricity, gas, banks, and customs be closed,” Jafari Azar explained. “These vital services will continue their 24/7 operations to ensure public needs are met without interruption.”
A Balanced Approach to Work and Life
The proposed model seeks a balance between productivity and employee welfare. The commission’s suggestion maintains the current 44-hour weekly work requirement but condenses it into five days. This would allow the government to formally designate Thursday as a day off, providing a two-day weekend alongside Friday, the traditional day of rest and prayer.
Jafari Azar highlighted the dual benefits of this initiative, stating it is designed to “increase opportunities for employees to be present with their families and to achieve savings in energy, water, and gas resources.”
Path to Implementation
The final details are now pending high-level inter-agency discussions. Jafari Azar announced that a meeting is scheduled for next week with the Plan and Budget Organization, the Administrative and Employment Organization, and representatives from the Guardian Council. This meeting will be crucial for finalizing the specifics of the new work schedule and formally legalizing the government’s authority to implement the change.