Venezuela cuts public sector work hours amid electricity crisis

Venezuela's public sector is set to reduce working hours in an effort to alleviate pressure on the nation's struggling electricity grid, according to interim leader Delcy Rodriguez.

The government is implementing rolling blackouts as domestic electricity consumption reaches its highest level in nearly a decade. These power outages have sparked nationwide protests in recent weeks, particularly outside the capital, Caracas.

The new measure will require public employees to work every other day, with some working half-days. Rodriguez specified that this reduction would not affect personnel in essential services, such as healthcare.

Rodriguez stated that electricity demand on Tuesday hit a new high for the year at 15,726 megawatts, while the available supply was only around 12,000 megawatts. She attributed the high demand not only to weather conditions but also to economic growth.

Experts have long cited poor management and a lack of maintenance as the root causes of Venezuela's chronic power problems, especially in its interior regions. Rodriguez announced the working hour reduction while signing an agreement with Argentinian company IMPSA to complete a hydroelectric plant in the southern state of Bolivar.

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The national grid is facing very high demand not only due to weather conditions but also economic growth.