Introductory Memo
Following the Strait of Hormuz fuel crisis, the Indian government appealed to the citizens to preferably work from home. India imports nearly 85% of its crude oil and the Hormuz strait corridor carries about half of those supplies. The global crude and gas prices have risen sharply, above $100 per barrel. India's foreign exchange reserves have declined since the start of the US-Iran war. Fuel conservation has become an economic imperative, not a lifestyle choice anymore. WFH appeal is necessitated by this imperative. But, has the decade of digital infrastructure investment built the foundational layers for a large-scale remote work economy? Are the universal 5G internet coverage, a robust digital identity, payments stack, and proven platforms for remote health, education, and governance delivery sufficient? Which sectors can genuinely shift towards remote working? Can WFH be considered something more durable than a temporary crisis management tool? Let’s find out the answers.