Indefinite Four-Day Workweek Implemented: Nation Takes Drastic Measures Amid Energy Crisis, Warns of "Serious Consequences"

Sri Lanka Recommends Four-Day Workweek for Private Sector as Well

The island nation of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean has introduced a four-day workweek to overcome the energy supply crisis caused by the aftermath of the Middle East war.

LPG tanker anchored near the Strait of Hormuz Reuters Yonhap News

"Serious Consequences If Additional Fuel Supplies Are Disrupted"

According to AFP News Agency and others on March 17 (local time), Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake held an emergency meeting the previous day and decided to implement a four-day workweek. Following the meeting, Prabath Chandrakirti, Director General of Essential Services, announced that all government agencies would implement the four-day workweek, designating every Wednesday as a public holiday starting March 18.

On the 15th, people were lining up to purchase fuel in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Director General Chandrakirti added that all schools and universities would also be subject to the four-day workweek, and that this system would be implemented indefinitely. He further announced that the government would suspend all official events temporarily, and requested that public officials work from home where possible to conserve fuel. However, he clarified that hospitals, ports, and emergency service-related institutions would continue operations as usual. He also urged the private sector to implement the four-day workweek.

Previously, on March 15, the Sri Lankan government began implementing a fuel rationing system. Under this policy, car drivers are allotted 15 liters of gasoline (or diesel) per week, while public transportation vehicles such as buses are allocated up to 200 liters per week. Government officials stated that the current gasoline and diesel reserves would last for about six weeks, and warned that if additional supplies could not be secured, it would lead to serious consequences.

Similar Measures Implemented in Pakistan and Bangladesh

On the 14th, merchants were moving with fuel-filled containers loaded on motorcycles on the outskirts of Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Following Sri Lanka, Pakistan has also introduced similar measures in response to the surge in international oil prices. On March 10, the Pakistani government implemented a four-day workweek for government agencies, excluding banks, and instructed about half of the staff to work from home. In addition, fuel subsidies for official vehicles, except for ambulances, will be reduced by 50% for the next two months. Furthermore, 60% of all official vehicles, excluding buses and similar public transport, will be taken out of service for the time being. As Pakistan relies on imports for most of its fuel, it is considered especially sensitive to fluctuations in international oil prices.

Another South Asian country, Bangladesh, has also implemented similar emergency measures. The Bangladeshi government moved up the country's largest Islamic holiday, Eid al-Fitr, and recently ordered the closure of all universities nationwide. Furthermore, ahead of Independence Day on March 26, the government has scaled back the decorative lighting typically installed at government buildings and shopping malls each year. With a population of 170 million, Bangladesh relies on imports for about 95% of its oil and gas demand.

Meanwhile, with international oil prices showing a downward trend, expectations for a stock market rebound are rising. This is attributed to growing hopes that the movement of some vessels may resume at the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route that had been effectively blocked by the Middle East war. On March 16, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed at $93.50 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, down $5.21 (5.28%) from the previous trading day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.