Iranian Parliament has voted to make Thursdays the second weekend day, in addition to Fridays, but this decision awaits Guardian Council approval. Government agencies will operate from Saturday to Wednesday. Military and certain service sectors are exempt. The previous proposal for Saturdays as the second weekend was rejected, raising discussions on economic alignment with global trade practices.
In a recent open session held on Wednesday, Iranian lawmakers voted to designate Thursdays as the second weekend day in Iran, alongside Fridays. This decision still requires approval from the Guardian Council to become official legislation. Following this new ruling, all government agencies will be mandated to operate from Saturday through Wednesday of each week.
However, key sectors such as military, security, police, and various service providers—including banks, the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, and healthcare facilities—will not be subject to this new weekend arrangement. The attempt to establish an additional weekend day has sparked considerable debate, particularly concerning its potential economic impact.
The previous government had passed a similar proposal advocating for Saturdays to be the second weekend day, which ultimately faced rejection by the Guardian Council. Critics contended that aligning the weekend with global standards—primarily consisting of Saturday and Sunday—would better facilitate international trade and economic engagement. On May 15, 2024, prior lawmakers had passed the vote for Saturdays, but the ruling body mandated revisions before finalization.
In conclusion, the Iranian Parliament’s recent vote to recognize Thursdays as a second weekend day reflects ongoing efforts to reform the country’s workweek structure. However, the necessity for further approval from the Guardian Council indicates that the decision is not yet final. This ruling marks a significant shift that requires careful consideration of its broader implications on the economy and alignment with global business practices.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
