The South African government has proposed that people who can, should work from home. Photo: Stock Image / Pixabay
Déjà vu? Govt ponders ‘work from home’ order to combat petrol price hike
The South African government has suggested that employees work from home, if possible, in order to assist them with rising fuel costs.
The South African government has proposed that people who can, should work from home. Photo: Stock Image / Pixabay
It may be a bit too soon to head out to your office due to Government’s recent recommendation. According to reports, in order to combat rising petrol costs. Government has suggested that South Africans continue to work from home.
Fuel price hikes due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict has Government looking at options for workers
Projected fuel price hikes for April could see petrol reaching around R24 per litre if the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues. Oil prices have skyrocketed to record levels in recent weeks due to the conflict and concerns regarding Russia’s oil supplies.
IOL reports that Russia is the third top producer of crude oil in the world. Therefore, the ongoing conflict between Vladimir Putin’s nation with Ukraine will continue to result in soaring fuel costs.
Government believes if staff can work from home, they should
Deputy Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Tseliso Maqubea stated that Government thinks companies that can have their staff work from home, should do so.
The constantly increasing price of petrol will take a big chunk out of employees’ salaries due to transport costs. Maqubela stated that if people have the tools of the trade to work at home, employers should consider allowing them to continue working from home.
“We need to go back and ask whether everyone needs to be driving if they can afford to, and have the tools of trade, to work from home?”
Tseliso Maqubea, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy
While addressing Parliament’s portfolio committee on mineral resources, Maqubela stated that working from home needs to be considered an option. He was speaking about possible alternatives and considerations that may be considered to address the increase in petrol prices.
Biofuels and fuel rationing are possibilities
He explained that Government is looking into fuel rationing and how many litres each motorist would be allowed to take per visit to a petrol station if rationing is implemented.
Maqubela went on to state that biofuels must now be enabled as a matter of urgency adding that it enables jobs and reduces imports. Maqubela said the delay in moving South Africa to biofuels is because the country is risk-averse and Government did not want to subsidise biofuels.
He explained to Parliament that other options being considered include; how to provide relief to those involved in public transport and food production.
