With the worst economic crisis in decades is the Sri Lanka and the government approved employment four times a week for public sector employees. Aim to address fuel shortages and encourage residents to grow fruits and vegetables.
The island country, which has about 1.5 million civil servants, has been hit by a currency shortage that has left can not import fuel, food and medicine.
Many of Sri Lanka’s 22 million people are forced to wait in line for hours in fuel stationswhile faced with long power outages.
Sri Lankan cabinet late yesterday approved a proposal by civil servants to be allowed on Fridays for the next three months.
“It seems appropriate to give government employees a working day off and give them the necessary equipment to engage in farming in their gardens or elsewhere as a solution to the expected food shortages,” the government said in a statement.
This measure will not affect employees in some important areas of government. At the same time public servants wishing to go abroad to work will be able to take unpaid leave for up to five years without losing their position or affecting their pension, clarified the government.
On the table a rescue plan
The United Nations warned last week of an impending humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka and said it intended to provide $ 47 million to help more than one million vulnerable people in the country.
Currency devaluation, rising food prices and a ban on chemical fertilizers pushed food inflation to 57% in April.
The government is discussing a rescue plan with the International Monetary Fund, while the US has appeared willing to help Sri Lanka, reports APE-MPE, citing Reuters and AFP.
“During these difficult economic and political times, “The United States stands ready to work with Sri Lanka in close cooperation with the IMF and the international community.”US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Twitter last night.
Source: News Beast
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