Iran’s government is implementing changes to work patterns to address fuel and energy shortages amid ongoing economic pressures. Starting September 23, office hours for government workers will be set from 8am to 1pm, with remaining hours to be completed remotely until the end of the current Iranian year in late March 2027. Agencies are also required to designate one day a week for employees to use public transport for commuting. Government ministers have been promoting this initiative by sharing videos of themselves using the metro.
To further encourage the use of public transport, metro and bus rapid transit (BRT) systems will be free until mid-November. The government plans to replace aging vehicles with electric, gas-powered, or hybrid alternatives, though this transition is expected to take years. The reopening of universities will be staggered, with some classes moved online.
President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a directive on September 12 to facilitate remote work for eligible employees to reduce costs associated with petrol, electricity, and natural gas. Pezeshkian stated that the government is initiating consumption savings.
Iran has faced energy crises previously, often attributed to mismanagement and outdated infrastructure. The current economic situation has been exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, including conflicts with the United States and Israel. In early September, the government increased fuel prices for certain quotas for the second time in less than a year, leading to higher costs for petrol use beyond 110 litres per month.
In the first five months of the current Iranian year, average daily petrol production was 122 million litres, while consumption reached 132 million litres, indicating a supply shortfall. The US naval blockade of Iran's southern ports has halted fuel imports, further complicating the situation.
Recent data from the Statistical Center of Iran shows a 10.1 percent year-on-year decline in real GDP and a 26.4 percent decrease in oil and gas extraction from late March to late June 2026. Other sectors, including industries and mining, saw declines of 14.7 percent, construction by 6.4 percent, and transport, storage, and communications by 17 percent.
The government has not disclosed how many workers will be affected by the remote work directive or its expected impact on productivity. Some citizens express skepticism about the effectiveness of these measures, citing long-standing issues of inefficiency within government organizations.
According to Zabihollah Salmani, a deputy head of the Administrative and Employment Organisation of Iran, over 2.43 million people are employed by the government, with the total number exceeding four million when including other sectors. The average monthly salary for government employees was around 240 million rials ($104 at the current exchange rate) at the end of the previous Iranian year.
Amir-Hossein, a government-linked research centre employee, reported that he has been assigned two days of remote work. He noted that working from home has been financially beneficial and has allowed him to be more productive. An economist in Iran commented that the government measures are more of a crisis control strategy rather than a sustainable solution to the underlying issues.