In a surprising move, Prime Minister Ali Asadov has signed an order reshuffling the official work and rest days in Azerbaijan. According to the decision, June 21, originally scheduled as a day off, will now be a working day, while June 27 has been declared a non-working day instead. This change means that citizens will enjoy an uninterrupted four-day break from June 26 to June 29.

Similarly, an earlier decision granted an extended four-day holiday from June 6 to June 9 in connection with the celebration of Eid al-Adha (Gurban Bayram).

While many welcomed the prospect of longer breaks, some experts have voiced concern about the potential economic consequences of such last-minute adjustments. Economist Akram Hasanov, speaking to Bizimyol.info, emphasized that while the Cabinet of Ministers is legally entitled to rearrange working days, the manner and timing of such changes raise significant questions.

For example, if people knew ahead of time about the four-day break, they might have bought tickets or planned trips earlier. — Akram Hasanov

"The law permits the government to alter work schedules to provide longer consecutive holidays," Hasanov noted. "This isn't necessarily harmful to the economy—in fact, a longer uninterrupted rest period could benefit employees and avoid disruptions from constantly switching between work and rest. However, the real issue is the timing and predictability of these decisions."

Hasanov argues that such calendar changes should be planned and announced well in advance—ideally in December of the preceding year—so citizens and businesses can make necessary arrangements. "For example, if people knew ahead of time about the four-day break, they might have bought tickets or planned trips earlier," he said. "Instead, businesses and professionals—such as lawyers like myself who schedule court hearings months in advance—find themselves forced to rearrange carefully made plans at the last moment. This undermines the business environment."

The economist stressed that in developed countries such as the United States, European nations, and Japan, such abrupt government decisions would be met with public criticism or even protest from the business community.

"Businesspeople plan their work months ahead. The fact that such surprise decisions are made here—and that even government agencies themselves don't seem to plan properly—is troubling," Hasanov said. "For example, court hearings are scheduled well in advance. Changing public holidays just days before they occur means that entire schedules must now be reworked, which is disruptive and economically damaging."

Hasanov concluded that while giving citizens longer holidays may seem attractive on the surface, the lack of foresight and suddenness of such changes could harm the country's economic rhythm and professionalism.

Irada Jalil, Bizimyol.info