The Sindh government on Tuesday announced that all schools in the province will remain closed from March 16 to 31, while a partial work-from-home policy will be implemented for government employees, with Fridays designated for remote work.
Sindh Minister for Information, Sharjeel Inam Memon, stated that the decision was made in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis following the US-Israel war against Iran, which has put pressure on energy supplies and prompted austerity measures.
He assured that all examinations will continue as scheduled, and government offices will operate normally from Monday to Thursday. The Friday work-from-home initiative is aimed at conserving fuel and promoting energy efficiency across the province.
Digital Attendance Monitoring for Students
The cabinet approved the Student Attendance Monitoring and Redress System (SAMRS), which will use a mobile app and digital dashboard to track student attendance and enrollment during school closures.
Additional Austerity Measures
The provincial government has also introduced measures to reduce public expenditure, including:
- Suspension of all government-funded refreshments in public offices for the next two months, including during Ramazan. Employees will be expected to cover their own costs for water and refreshments.
- Encouragement for all officials and citizens to contribute collectively to addressing the country’s economic and administrative challenges, Memon added.
Support for Women in Agriculture
The Sindh cabinet approved the Sindh Agriculture Women Workers Rules, designed to provide equal wages and maternity facilities for women in the agricultural sector.
Additionally, the government sanctioned the issuance of Benazir Women Agricultural Workers Cards and created a Rs500 million endowment fund for women workers, aiming to empower female labor in rural areas and ensure fair treatment and financial security.
These steps form part of Sindh’s broader strategy to manage the economic and energy impact of international crises while safeguarding public services and promoting gender equality in labor sectors.
