Govt Sends NA, Senate Staff Home

The National Assembly and Senate secretariats have implemented a series of cost-saving measures, including remote work and restrictions on vehicle use. Half of National Assembly Secretariat staff will work from home, while Senate staff will only do so on Fridays. Attendance at Senate offices will be mandatory Monday through Thursday.

Employees working remotely will not receive daily allowances or overtime pay, per the notification. The measures also involve reducing fuel consumption by 50% for government vehicles and prohibiting official events. The secretariats have also halted the purchase of new vehicles and mandated a 5% cut in non-development spending. Monthly reviews and reductions in expenses are expected.

Additionally, purchases of durable goods, with the exception of IT equipment, are banned. Official foreign trips are suspended for three months, and official dinners are only permitted for foreign delegations.