Iraq shortens public sector working hours by two hours amid heatwave warning

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs, Ziyadi, ordered public sector working hours shortened by two hours on Wednesday, citing high temperature warnings issued by meteorological authorities. The order was issued to protect public health during the extreme heat and applies to government institutions across the country. Under the directive, official working hours will be reduced by two hours for the day, with bureaucratic procedures to be carried out within the adjusted schedule. The instruction has been communicated to relevant ministries and public institutions, which are expected to update their internal arrangements accordingly. Health and security services are exempt from the order, and emergency operations will continue as normal, officials said. It remained unclear whether a similar arrangement would be applied to private sector employees, with no official statement issued on the matter. The revised working hours are expected to be announced to the public through individual institutional notices.