In Iraq, Excessive Official Holidays Lead To Educational and Governmental Concerns

Al Monitor reports today that in Iraq, educational achievement and productivity in government, sevices and contruction sectors are being adversely affected by the excessive number of officially recognized religious and ethnic holidays. The political system leads to governmenmt recognition of the holidays of each of the many religious and ethnic group in the country.  Iraq recognizes 150 official vacation days under a law passed by Parliament last year.