In what many are calling the 'steamiest political move ever', the Latvian government has passed a revolutionary bill requiring all public and private sector workplaces to install fully functional saunas by the end of 2024. The 'Sauna Productivity Act', as it has been officially dubbed, aims to leverage the traditional Latvian love for bathing in near-volcanic temperatures to promote a healthier, more relaxed workforce.

"We want Latvians to be as productive as possible, and nothing says productivity like sweating profusely in a small wooden room," stated Minister of Steam and Relaxation, Imants Karavs, during a press conference. "Our ancestors braved the Baltic winters with nary a whimper. It’s about time their descendants faced spreadsheets with the same resilience, buoyed by regular sauna breaks."

According to the proposal, each employee will be entitled to three 'steam sessions' per day, each lasting 15 minutes. During these breaks, employees are encouraged to reflect on their tasks, chat about future company strategies, or simply marvel at the ingenuity of wooden bench construction.

Local economist, Ilze Silina, expressed skepticism about the policy’s economic impact. "While it is an innovative concept, calling this a productivity booster is...creative. Shares in towel manufacturers have soared, but I'm not sure that constitutes an economic breakthrough," she mused.

Equally intrigued, the Latvian Union for Workplace Health and Restation (LUWHR) welcomed the decision. "We've been demanding more relaxed approaches to work for years," exclaimed spokesperson Vita Zalite. "Although we initially suggested introducing comfortable napping zones, steam is a close second. It’s wonderful to see Latvia finally raising workplace temperatures in a positive manner!"

Businesses have already started adapting to the new requirement. "We've cleared out the old server room. The servers were always overheating anyway," revealed Juris Ziepnieks, CEO of the tech start-up Byte Sauna. "Our team morale is lifting along with the steam. Our developers now feel like they're coding in a tropical forest – minus the annoying insects, but with all the sweat."

Not surprisingly, sauna construction firms are basking in the advent of new business prospects. "We're in the golden age of sauna building!" declared Laimdots Ozolins, CEO of Steam Dream Enterprises. "We’ve had a 400% increase in orders. I suppose people have never been this eager to work themselves into a lather."

However, there has been some backlash from environmental groups concerned about the increased energy consumption. "Sure, saunas are great," admits Green Latvia's founder, Aivars Rubenis. "But we advocate reducing Latvia’s carbon footprint, not increasing its water vapor signature."

The government remains undeterred. Considering the initiative a potential cultural export comparable to hygge or Swedish fika, Karavs noted, "It’s our chance to set a global trend. After all, what’s a world economy without a little condensation?"

Time will tell whether mandatory sauna breaks will genuinely put Latvia's productivity on the heat map or if this policy will fall under 'ambitious but unboiled'. For now though, employees across the nation are just glad they can finally wear the same attire to work and to the beach.