Spurred by the closure of the Circunvalación between Hatillo 8 and Pavas, the government has put forth a plan to ease the traffic chaos of San José, with flexible work hours for all government employees.
Starting Thursday (19th) all public servants – save for hospital, police and emergency response units like the Cruz Roja (Red Cross) and Bomberos (fire department) – will work from 7am to 3pm, instead of 8am to 4pm.
In two weeks time, public institutions and agencies, such as the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) and the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA), are required put into place a plan to allow employees to work a 10 hour work day, four days weeks, taking off either Friday or Monday, extending work hours from 7am to 5pm.
The flexible work plan increases the hours of service by government institutions to 5pm. The Ministry of Labour explained that with the increased work day an shorter week, managers will be able to provide services for two additional hours, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The objective is to reduce traffic congestion during peak hours.
According to the Ministry of Labour, public institution and agency managers will have discretion in implementing the plan that will be in place until November 17, when the Circunvalación is expected to re-open to traffic again.
