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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Venezuela facing shortage of beer

After facing shortage of items like milk, toilet paper and medicines for the last few years, Venezuela is now faced with a national shortage of beer because of workers striking work at two major breweries.
This has been reported in bbc.com dated 3 July 2015.

Apparently, unions that have links with President Nicolas Maduro have forced the closure over a pay dispute with the brewer Polar. This company is responsible for 80% of Venezuela's beer and, with half of their breweries now shut and others already running at reduced capacity, the shortage is a matter of concern.
The workers are striking at Polar's breweries located in Caracas and Anzoategui state, apart from as many as 16 distribution centers - pay is reason of the dispute.
Incidentally, Venezuela has strict controls on the cost of food and hygiene products in order to ensure that the poor can afford basic goods. However, in the opinion of analysts, these controls, at times, contribute to shortage of food and materials.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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