IRAN’S GOVERNMENT has shut down for two days in a bid to save electricity, the Financial Times reports. All government employees and public sector workers were given an unexpected two-day holiday. The official reason behind the surprise break was excessive summer heat, but Iranians aren’t buying it.
Many believe the holiday is to help the country combat severe electricity shortages. Iran’s energy minister said on TV recently that electricity usage had increased by 8% already this year and appealed to the public to use it more carefully.
Although the holiday was only extended to the state’s 2.2 million employees, many private sector companies had trouble operating without necessary contact with state bodies. The holiday was due to end today.
