The Iraqi Cabinet decided today, Tuesday, to change the official working hours in ministries and state institutions as part of its measures to alleviate traffic congestion. It also took decisions concerning economic enhancement and the improvement of electricity services. As part of the government's steps to address traffic jams and organize the working hours of state departments, the Cabinet approved the recommendations from the consultative meeting held on March 16 to tackle traffic congestion as follows:
1. Implementing new starting and ending times for official working hours in the ministries, their formations, and entities not affiliated with any ministry in the capital, Baghdad, for a trial period of three months starting after the Eid al-Fitr holiday, with a re-evaluation set to take place after the mentioned period by the appointed committee, detailed as follows:
a. The official working hours for government departments in the Green Zone and the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Planning, Agriculture, Water Resources, Environment, Migration and Displaced Persons, Communications, Youth and Sports, Culture, and Industry and Minerals, as well as the Central Bank of Iraq, the Federal Board of Supreme Audit, the Baghdad Municipality, and the Civil Aviation Authority, will start at 7:00 AM and end at 2:00 PM.
b. The official working hours for the three presidencies and the ministries of Interior, Defense, Health, Finance, Electricity, Justice, Labor and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Education, along with all related schools and institutes, will begin at 8:00 AM, or according to the duties assigned to the service and security departments, finishing at 3:00 PM.
c. The official working hours for the ministries of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Transport, Trade, Construction, Housing, Municipalities, and Public Works, as well as the Shiite and Sunni Endowments, the Martyrs and Political Prisoners institutions, the High Commission for Hajj and Umrah, the State Council, and other unenumerated entities, will start at 9:00 AM and end at 4:00 PM.
d. The official working hours for all public and private universities and colleges will commence at 10:00 AM, taking into account adjustments to weekly holiday days for colleges and departments to achieve staggered attendance throughout the week.
2. Obligating ministries and entities not affiliated with any ministry to activate the public transport system at a rate of no less than 30% of their staff through buses available in those ministries or by direct coordination with the Ministry of Transport / General Company for Transporting Travelers and Delegates, and encouraging employees to participate in public transport by granting them a grace period of half an hour to extend their morning and evening attendance times before and after the official working hours.
3. Constructing pedestrian overpasses for citizens to cross near colleges and hospitals, and ensuring the establishment of fencing to prevent crossing except through these bridges.
4. Removing and clearing encroachments and street vendors from sidewalks and streets, especially in the Shorja area, Baghdad al-Jadida, and some overcrowded markets.
