- Asian governments are relocating employees due to energy shortages caused by the US-Israel war in Iran
- Pakistan authorizes half of public servants to work remotely immediately
- Vietnam is urging citizens to cycle and adopt remote work strategies
Governments across Asia have issued new directives for public sector workers to work from home as US-Israeli strikes in Iran disrupt oil supplies and cause fuel shortages.
In Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines, governments have introduced measures aimed at reducing energy consumption and conserving limited fuel resources.
They are relying on their past experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic to implement remote work at scale.
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Asian countries are moving to reduce fuel consumption
In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed half of all government employees to work from home and strongly encouraged private companies to adopt similar measures, with universities and other higher education institutions set to shift classes online.
Authorities stress that telecommuting is a necessary step to reduce fuel consumption while maintaining essential services.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has also encouraged citizens to work remotely if possible and use bicycles instead of motor vehicles.
Thailand, on the other hand, has instructed public sector workers not directly involved in frontline service to stay at home.
The Southeast Asian nation insists air conditioning temperatures are set to 26°C and encourages the use of stairs instead of lifts.
Meanwhile, the Philippines has adopted a four-day policy for public sector employees.
This allows agencies to designate regular work-from-home days or compress the work week while promoting virtual meetings to limit unnecessary travel.
The authorities introduced these measures after warnings that the electricity supply could also be affected.
Although data center operators maintain diesel generators for backup power, most only have a few days’ worth of fuel.
This raises concerns about the sustainability of virtual infrastructure for longer periods of time.
The region’s past experience with remote working has enabled governments to use productivity tools and video conferencing platforms.
The measures show that even in the midst of geopolitical crises, governments can implement large-scale remote operations if digital infrastructure is available and authorities manage operational constraints carefully.
While the shift is driven by energy conservation, it also shows how conflicts like the US war in Iran can accelerate long-term changes in workplace practices.
Asian governments now rely on technology and stable supply chains to sustain operations.
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