Gabon workers happy as three-hour lunch-breaks are scrapped

Gabon's government has introduced new working hours in an attempt to increase productivity and give people more time with their families.

Civil servants and employees of private companies will now work from 0730 to 1530 - with 30 minutes for lunch.

Previously Gabonese worked from 0800 to 1800 and took a three-hour lunch-break - a regime which officials said left workers feeling tired in the afternoon.

Many people are happy with the changes. Workers at private firms are used to starting work early and will be overjoyed at being able to finish early.

But civil servants are accustomed to turning up for work a little later, so might find the new regime tougher.

Many workers hope the new hours will also ease the traffic congestion that plagues the capital city, Libreville. The long lunches were a hangover from the days when Gabon was a French colony.