Working from home is not government policy, says DMPR

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has clarified that working from home is not an official government policy or proposal.

In a statement, the department said remarks made by its Director of Fuel Pricing, Robert Maake, were in response to a question during a workshop on fuel pricing mechanisms.

Maake had said that working from home could help employees to manage the impact of rising fuel costs.

The Department says the comment was only an example of possible options individuals or organisations could consider to reduce transport-related costs.

“The department categorically states that these remarks were made in response to a question from the floor during a workshop on fuel pricing mechanisms,” the department said.

“In that context, working from home was mentioned purely as an example of one of several possible options that individuals or organisations might consider to mitigate rising transport-related costs.”

“It is therefore incorrect to report or interpret the response given during the workshop as an official position or policy proposal of the department or government.”

The Department added that the remarks were not presented as a directive, recommendation or policy intervention, but formed part of a broader discussion.

“Government continues to engage on matters relating to fuel supply, fuel pricing and the broader cost-of-living pressures affecting South Africans. Any policy positions or decisions will be communicated through the appropriate official channels,” the department explained.

South Africans brace for fuel surge as petrol jumps R5 and diesel rises over R9 per litre