SEOUL: Countries across Asia are weighing up work-from-home policies and stimulus measures enforced during the Covid pandemic as they scramble to respond to global fuel shortages triggered by the Iran war.

Asia is at the frontline of the fuel crisis, buying more than 80 per cent of the crude that transits the Strait of Hormuz, which has been almost totally blocked by Iran.

No country in the region has enforced work-from-home measures yet, but some have said they are on the table.

“I think it is a good idea,” South Korean Energy Minister Kim Sung-whan said on Tuesday when asked about an International Energy Agency recommendation for people to work from home.

The IEA, which agreed to a record release of around 400 million barrels of oil from strategic stockpiles to deal with the crisis, has outlined proposals to ease oil price pressures such as working from home and avoiding air travel.

Industrial powerhouse South Korea on Tuesday launched a public campaign asking people to cut shower time, charge phones during the day and run vacuums on weekends.

The Philippines shortened the work week in some government offices earlier this month. President Ferdinand Marcos declared a state of national energy emergency, saying the conflict poses an “imminent danger” to the country’s energy supply.

Pakistan closed schools for two weeks and said office workers would work more from home.

The island nation of Sri Lanka declared a public holiday every Wednesday to help make its fuel supplies go further. Singapore urged people and businesses to switch to energy-efficient appliances, use electric vehicles and set the temperature higher on their air conditioners. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered bureaucrats to suspend overseas trips, use stairs instead of elevators, and work from home.

Some countries have turned to stimulus measures as rising fuel costs bite into household budgets.

The Japanese government said Tuesday it plans to tap 800 billion yen ($5bn) in reserve funds to finance subsidies aimed at keeping gasoline prices at about 170 yen per litre on average. New Zealand said on Tuesday that it would provide temporary financial support of NZ$50 ($29.30) every week from April for low-income families.

In neighbouring Australia, hundreds of petrol stations are running dry from panic buying and shortages. The centre-left government introduced legislation in the parliament to double penalties for fuel price gouging.

Several Asian countries have also released petrol and diesel from domestic reserves and temporarily loosened gasoline and diesel quality standards to increase supply.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2026