Work-from-home, fuel rationing on table as fuel prices rise

2026-03-18 - 10:33

As global fuel prices continue to rise amid the ongoing US–Israel conflict with Iran, Bhutan has outlined measures such as work-from-home arrangements and prioritised fuel rationing to reduce fuel consumption. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment is also working on additional fiscal interventions if the situation worsens or fuel supply is disrupted. The industry, commerce, and employment ministry said current fuel reserves can adequately cover any emergencies, including supply disruptions. The ministry added that it will roll out the measures to conserve fuel reserves if the global energy crisis worsens. Meanwhile, neighbouring countries in the region have implemented measures to reduce fuel consumption. Sri Lanka has moved to a four-day workweek as part of emergency measures to conserve fuel reserves. The newly implemented four-day workweek will extend to educational institutions, including schools and universities. Essential services such as healthcare, ports, and emergency operations, however, will continue to function as usual. Motorists in Sri Lanka are now required to register for a National Fuel Pass, which limits purchases to 15 litres for private cars and five litres for motorcycles. Similarly, government offices in the Philippines have moved to a four-day work week. Officials in Thailand and Vietnam have been encouraged to work from home and limit travel, and Myanmar’s government has imposed alternating driving days. On Monday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a four-day work week for the public sector and a two-week national school closure to minimize the consumption of energy products. The crisis, which has disrupted global oil supply routes, is already pushing crude prices above 100 dollars per barrel and triggering widespread economic concerns. The situation has been worsened by instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route through which nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply passes, raising fears of prolonged shortages and global inflation. Samten Dolkar Edited by Phub Gyem