When will the transition to the new work schedule in Baku take place?

Despite the fact that almost two months have passed since the decision to change working hours to reduce traffic congestion, concrete steps in this direction have not yet been taken. Experts believe that the implementation of this issue will take a significant amount of time.

Some time ago, a state program was approved to improve the transport infrastructure of Baku city for 2025-2030. One of the key issues of the program was changing the work schedule.

The decision notes that organizing flexible working hours for government agencies, educational and medical institutions, as well as other legal entities and individuals, implementing remote work modes, as well as establishing higher fares during peak hours and lower fares at other times are among the priority measures.

This issue was widely covered in the press and actively discussed. However, despite the fact that two months have passed since the order was issued, concrete steps in this direction have not yet been taken.

The question arises: when will the working hours be changed? Are there any initiatives in this direction?

"Government structures are organizing their work"

Deputy Vugar Bayramov told the "Caspian" newspaper that the activities envisaged by the state program will definitely be implemented. "Not much time has passed since the approval of the state program. The peculiarity of this program is that deadlines are set for each activity. Government structures are already organizing their work in accordance with the activities provided for in the program. The activities envisaged by the state program will definitely be carried out," V. Bayramov noted.

"Will we see it in the near future?"

The deputy notes that the program is important both in terms of developing the transport sector and for eliminating traffic jams and congestion in Baku as a whole: "The program began to be implemented this year, about two months have passed. This is not a long period. In the near future, we will see quite significant rules within the framework of this program that will affect the transport infrastructure of Baku. We will soon witness further improvement of the transport infrastructure in accordance with international standards."

The purpose of the program

Note that according to the program, in 2025-2026, the working hours of government institutions, educational and medical institutions, as well as other legal entities and individuals will be organized on the basis of a flexible work schedule. The relevant lists will be approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, the Ministry of Science and Education, the Ministry of Health, and TƏBIB. The program aims to improve the transport infrastructure of Baku and adjacent territories in accordance with the Baku Master Plan (2020-2040), accelerate economic development, and improve people's quality of life.

The state program provides for the provision of quality transport services to the population, ensuring the safety of all road users taking into account the prospective development of the territory, improving the quality, sustainability, and accessibility of public transport, as well as ensuring the use of individual mobile vehicles, transport and pedestrian infrastructure at a level that meets modern requirements, and the introduction of digital technologies in the transport sector.

The goal is to create a sustainable transport system in Baku and adjacent territories, improve the quality of passenger mobility, and take necessary measures to reduce traffic accidents, as well as reduce environmental harm.

"This takes time"

The chairman of the League for the Protection of Citizens' Labor Rights, Sahib Mammadov, says that changing the work schedule requires a comprehensive approach and this takes time: "This is not an issue that can be resolved by a single decree in a short time. To change the work schedule, it is necessary to implement a set of measures. In addition, this change can be carried out based on the opinion of employers.

Changing the schedule in workplaces with large staff can lead to a reduction in traffic jams in the city. In enterprises where 10-15 people work, it will be impossible to apply this."

"It is necessary to investigate the factors that create traffic jams"

The human rights activist says that first, it is necessary to investigate the main factors that create traffic jams: "The main institutions that create traffic jams are schools and universities. In summer, people also go to work, but there are no transport problems like in the winter months.

The reason is that educational institutions are on vacation. The decision is made, and the executors act after conducting comprehensive research and monitoring. It is impossible to resolve this issue immediately. Perhaps this issue will be revisited after some time."