Governments across Asia order work from home, thanks to Iran war

The US government may be ordering staff back to the office, but governments across Asia have sent public sector workers back home to preserve fuel supplies due to supply chain disruptions caused by the war in Iran.

Most Asian nations rely on imported oil – even big producers like Indonesia and Malaysia. The war in Iran, which has closed the Straits of Hormuz and disrupted oil exports from Gulf states, has therefore created fuel shortages across the region.

Several governments have responded with fuel-saving measures.

Thailand’s government yesterday told public sector employees not involved in frontline service delivery to work from home, insisted that air conditioners be set to 26°C, and encouraged workers to use stairs instead of lifts.

The government of the Philippines has ordered that public sector employees attend the office only four days a week, and that agencies make that happen by either declaring a common ...