KCCI urges restoration of six-day workweek

Bilwani says businesses and trade suffer as government institutions remain closed on Saturdays.

KARACHI:

Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani has called on the government to immediately reinstate a six-day workweek for federal and provincial governments, along with all relevant authorities, institutions, and departments, to stimulate the economy and amplify trade and industry.

In a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Bilwani expressed concern that since 2011, the business and industrial community has faced persistent hardships due to the additional weekly holiday on Saturdays observed by ministries, government departments, the State Bank of Pakistan, the Federal Board of Revenue, Pakistan Stock Exchange, and financial institutions.

"Shipping companies also observe holidays on Saturdays, with no services available, causing delays in handling export and import consignments and resulting in significant demurrage and detention charges," he said. He added that the lack of banking services on Saturdays hampers commercial activities, especially for businesses dealing with some GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, which observe a weekly holiday on Fridays.

Bilwani also pointed out that commercial centers, wholesale, and retail networks across the country face difficulties in depositing cash due to banks' closures on Saturdays. This poses security risks as businesses must safeguard their cash over two non-working days, leading to an increase in cash-snatching incidents, particularly on Saturdays.

He recalled that the federal government had announced a five-day workweek on October 13, 2011, to conserve electricity. The country was grappling with severe energy shortages, which led to extended load-shedding and power breakdowns.

"At present, in 2024, our country is no longer facing an energy shortage, with the federal ministry of energy indicating that we now have a surplus of power. The government is even making capacity payments for this excess energy," he stated.