Nicaragua backtracks, says it won't cut government service hours to save on energy costs

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – The Nicaraguan government says it has decided to keep a full work day for public officials after a plan to cut working hours to save on energy costs wasn't well received.

Federal government spokeswoman and first lady Rosario Murillo said late Tuesday the government will continue to search for ways to have a more efficient government.

Just hours earlier, Treasury Department Minister Ivan Acosta announced that government officials would work six hours per day instead of nine to save energy.

The plan was announced at a time when Venezuela, which supplies oil to Nicaragua at lower cost, faces economic problems.

The Nicaraguan government recently said it will begin funding monthly $30 "socialist" cash transfers to poor Nicaraguans paid for by Venezuela.