Bolivia cuts school hours and lunch breaks to save fuel
Bolivia is introducing measures to deal with a serious fuel shortage.
President Luis Arce has announced that government workers will lose their lunch break, schools will have fewer in-person classes, and the government will cut back on using official cars.
This forms part of efforts to tackle the persistent fuel problems the country has been struggling with for months.
The economy has been in trouble since 2023, and people have protested by blocking roads over time, making it even harder for fuel to be delivered.
Previously, Bolivia was making a lot of money selling gas, but that has dropped, forcing the government to import less fuel. Fuel is now sold at low prices in Bolivia because the government helps cover the cost.
Arce, in a speech on March 12 said, “Bolivia is not bankrupt… it has an economy that continues to generate public investment”.
People have protested by blocking roads over time, making it even harder for fuel to be delivered.
To save fuel, the government will use half as many state cars as before. Schools will have more online classes so students and teachers don’t have to travel as much.
Also, government workers will now work straight from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time without a lunch break. This is also meant to reduce traffic during lunchtime.
As part of the government’s suggested solutions, farmers will get first access to fuel since they need it to grow food.
The government will also send the military to stop people from smuggling fuel out of the country.
