The administration of the East Kazakhstan Region is ready to adjust working hours in state institutions following complaints from residents facing the problem of early darkness. In three districts of the EKR, revised work schedules have already been introduced, and the regional leadership is considering expanding this practice as requests come in from the public.
As reported by the press service of the akimat of the East Kazakhstan Region in response to an official request from BES.media, residents of the region proposed the adjustment of working hours as early as last year to make better use of daylight. After consultations with the public, such changes were introduced in the Katon-Karagay District, as well as in the areas of Markakol and Ulken Naryn.
Currently, a new working schedule is in place in budget-funded and state organisations in these areas: the working day starts at 08:00 and ends at 17:30, with a lunch break from 12:00 to 13:30.
"Consideration of changes to the work schedule is planned as proposals come in from residents. The changes to work schedules were necessary for the convenience of visitors, recipients of public services, and also for employees of organisations," the official response from the EKR akimat states.
The problem of early sunset is also relevant for the Abay Region, but the situation there is developing differently. In response to a similar request from journalists, the local akimat gave a refusal:
"The regulation of timekeeping falls under the competence of the government of Kazakhstan. Since 1 March 2024, a single time zone has been established across the entire territory of Kazakhstan. Therefore, working hours have not been changed, and no changes are planned."
Difficulties with early darkness in the East Kazakhstan Region arose after the republic switched to a single time zone UTC+5. As a result of this decision, it has been getting dark as early as around 16:00 in the region, causing significant inconvenience: residents finish their working day and studies when it is already night outside, and schoolchildren are forced to return home in the dark.
It is worth noting that lawyer Serikzhan Akhmetshanov, a resident of the EKR, made attempts to challenge the government's ruling on the single time zone through the courts. According to him, the basis for the lawsuit was concern for children forced to return late from school, as well as numerous complaints from friends and colleagues. However, all court proceedings, including appeals, were lost by him.