Following Indonesia, List of Countries That Have Implemented WFH to Save Fuel
The Indonesian government has decided on a work-from-home (WFH) scheme to save energy. Several other countries have already implemented WFH to save energy during the crisis of the war in the Middle East.
As is known, in a press conference on Tuesday (31/3/2026), the government outlined the WFH rules for one day per week for civil servants. WFH for civil servants (ASN) has been decided to apply every Friday.
Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said that WFH for private employees will be adjusted to the characteristics and needs of each business sector. For the private sector, this one-day-per-week WFH is a recommendation.
“Why Friday is chosen is because some ministries have already done that with a four-day workweek using applications, this post-COVID,” explained Airlangga in a virtual press conference.
Airlangga stated that the policy of one day a week WFH for ASN to WFH for private employees has the potential to save fuel compensation up to trillions of rupiah.
“The potential savings from this work-from-home policy directly to the state budget is Rp 6.2 trillion in the form of fuel compensation savings,” said Airlangga.
In addition to Indonesia, several other countries have also imposed WFH to save energy. Here is the list:
- Pakistan
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is implementing fuel savings due to the surge in oil prices as a result of the US-Israel war with Iran. Pakistan has asked 50 percent of its workers to work from home (WFH) and extended school holidays since early March.
Cited from AFP and DW, Tuesday (11/3/2026), it is known that oil prices have surged above USD 100 per barrel for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The skyrocketing global oil prices occurred when Iran launched retaliatory attacks against crude oil-producing countries in the Gulf.
Pakistan has also raised petrol and diesel prices by 55 rupees (about Rp 3,316) per litre, the largest increase in the country’s history. Because almost all of its energy needs depend on imports, inflation in Pakistan is very vulnerable to global fuel price fluctuations.
- Thailand
In Thailand, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered civil servants to work from home since 3 March, except for those who must serve the public directly.
Other mandatory measures include setting room air conditioner temperatures between 26-27 degrees Celsius, wearing short-sleeved shirts instead of formal attire, turning off lights and electrical appliances when not in use, avoiding lift use and switching to stairs.
Official travel abroad has also been suspended. The government has also urged the public to do carpooling to reduce fuel consumption.
- Vietnam
Meanwhile in Vietnam, the Ministry of Trade has asked businesses to encourage their employees to work from home (WFH) to save fuel consumption. The government has also called on the public not to hoard or speculate on fuel.
Vietnam is one of the countries most affected by supply disruptions due to the Iran war, given its high dependence on energy imports from the Middle East.
Since the end of last month, petrol prices in Vietnam have risen 32 percent, diesel 56 percent, and kerosene up to 80 percent. Long queues of vehicles were seen at various petrol stations in Hanoi on Tuesday (10/3).
- Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has also urged workers to work from home and implement work hour reductions.
Cited from AFP and Straits Times, Sri Lanka’s Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi said that state institutions will only operate four days a week since 18 March. He designated every Wednesday as a ‘holiday’.
Energy-saving measures also apply to schools and universities.
- Egypt
WFH has also been implemented in Egypt. Shops, restaurants and cafes in Egypt are asked to close early at 21.00 local time for a month since 28 March. This is part of a series of temporary policies to address the rise in energy prices as a result of the United States (US) and Iran war.
Cited from BBC, Monday (30/3/2026), the anticipatory measures introduced by the Egyptian government also include turning off street lights and roadside advertisements. Then a work-from-home (WFH) system for one day per week in April 2026 for many workers.
Although most employees are asked to work from home one day per week, workers in crucial sectors such as those working in hospitals, schools and factories are exempted.