"Variable work schedule may soon be introduced in Baku." Economist MP Vuqar Bayramov said this in an interview with Medianews.az.
He stated that "According to the State Program for the improvement of transport infrastructure in Baku city and surrounding areas for 2025–2030, the work schedules of state agencies, educational and medical institutions, as well as other legal and physical entities, are planned to be organized based on a variable work schedule. According to the program, this will be implemented precisely in 2026."
V. Bayramov noted that based on the program, analyses conducted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, the Ministry of Science and Education, the Ministry of Health, TABIB, and the Transport Coordination Council on the implementation of a variable work schedule should be completed soon: "Thus, the variable work schedule will be organized based on the lists approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
In many developed countries, especially in Europe, the variable work schedule is already implemented, and this model produces concrete results. Analyses show that different start times reduce transportation load and lessen congestion during morning and evening peak hours."
European experience shows that a variable work schedule reduces traffic congestion, distributes load on public transport, increases worker productivity, and reduces pressure on urban infrastructure. It is expected that in 2026, the phased adjustment of work hours in various sectors will be carried out in Azerbaijan in accordance with the requirements of the state program. According to this model, not all institutions will start work at the same time, which will affect transportation congestion.
Of course, the implementation of a variable work schedule is not intended to completely eliminate transportation congestion but to reduce it. The elimination of congestion in transportation depends directly not only on infrastructure expansion but also on the implementation of similar other indirect measures."
Nailə Qasımova,
Medianews.az