The government has decided to designate Saturday and Sunday as official non-working days, effectively providing two days off each week. This decision was announced by the government spokesperson and Education Minister Sashmit Pokharel following the cabinet meeting held on Sunday. Additionally, the government has maintained official office hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Due to fuel supply challenges arising from the ongoing conflict in Iran, many countries have been adopting measures to reduce fuel consumption, including adjusting holiday schedules. According to Pokharel, “Considering the issues in petroleum supply, the decision to implement Saturday and Sunday as holidays for government offices and educational institutions will take effect from Chaitra 23 [around early April].”
The government has also decided to establish necessary legal frameworks to convert diesel and petrol-powered vehicles to electric vehicles. The practice of providing two days off weekly is common in many countries and is anticipated to contribute to lowering fuel consumption.
Nepal has previously implemented two-day weekly holidays on two occasions; however, both times the policy was revised to allow only Saturday as a holiday. The government led by Sher Bahadur Deuba had initially introduced a two-day weekend as a trial, with office hours set from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM starting from Jestha 1, 2079 (mid-May 2022). Nonetheless, just a month later, starting Ashad 1 (mid-June 2022), Sunday was removed as a holiday, restoring a six-day workweek.
