TCCIMA Pushes for Weekend Restructuring

A proposal by the Tourism Commission of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture to extend the weekend has been finalized and will be submitted to the government, once it is approved by the chamber’s board of directors.

Speaking to Tccim.ir, Mohammad Reza Khaef, deputy head of the commission, said the board’s approval would be the first major step toward implementing the plan.

“It will pave the way for the government’s approval, which will allow lawmakers to deliberate and vote on the bill in the parliament,” he said.

Similar bills have been rejected by the parliament 11 times over the past three years.

As things stand, Iran is the only Muslim country that does not have a two-day weekend, with Friday being the only official whole-day weekend.

The proposal aims to lengthen the weekend to two days by extending it to Saturday.

Opponents of the scheme argue that by extending the weekends to two days—a standard across the world, including in Muslim countries—productivity will decline and the economy will suffer loss of revenues.

On the other hand, supporters of the plan refute the claim, arguing that the world’s most developed countries have five working days and that by properly distributing holidays across the year, it is possible to boost domestic tourism and contribute to a growing economy.

Iran’s current weekend structure means the country’s business is out of touch with the world for almost four consecutive days (Thursday afternoon to Sunday evening).

To sweeten the pot for lawmakers that have been so quick to dismiss any bill pushing for a revised weekend structure, proponents of the scheme have suggested reducing Norouz holidays to a week, down from 14 days, which has been met with the approval of netizens on social media.

Supporters also point to studies that show that a well-rested workforce is more efficient and productive than a tired, dispirited one. They argue that resting for two days at the end of a stressful working week can help people recharge their batteries and start the next week with energy and optimism—qualities that any employer would pay good money to see in their staff.