Venezuela to have no work on Fridays to conserve electricity

With a view to conserving electricity, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has taken a major decision - namely, to declare every Friday as a national holiday for the next two months - it will be a day off for workers. Appearing on state television, the president has told the population that the scheme would begin this Friday and continue until 6 June.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 7 April 2016.

This reduction in working hours is expected to relieve pressure on Venezuela’s energy network because it has been hit by repeated blackouts in recent months. Venezuela gets 60% of its electricity generated through hydro power and a severe drought along with inadequate investment in infrastructure due to populist policies of low energy prices, has had a serious effect on the electricity generated.
The announcement of 'Friday holiday' is the latest in a series of measures designed to alleviate the crisis because, last month, the president had announced an extension to the country’s Easter holiday, giving the population an extra three days off work. He has also reduced the working hours for state employees by over three hours.
While on the subject, president Nicolas Maduro appealed to the population to use less power in their everyday lives like urging them to dry clothes on a line and allow their hair to dry naturally instead of using hairdryers.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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