The Brazilian government is going ahead with its mandatory rationing of electricity as part of an energy conservation campaign. As per the plan, the residents are required to either meet the mandated cutback of 20 per cent or resort to a four-day work week The majority of the states have met the mandated cutback of 20 per cent. However, in nine northeastern states, the cutback is far below 20 per cent. As a result, the curtailed workweek has come into effect in these states. It has forced schools and businesses to close, disrupted transportation, commerce and leisure and intensified regional tensions. The people of this area feel that they are being singled out to bear the brunt of the energy crisis.
The states' businesses have also been affected as stores and factories face a stark choice: either close one day a week, or pay double-time wages to employees and, perhaps, fines.
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