Brussels wants companies to establish one mandatory remote work day due to the energy crisis

BrusselsThe European Commission will propose to member states that they encourage companies to establish one mandatory remote working day for workers and that public buildings be closed "when possible", as reported by the newspaper El País and confirmed by ARA. In the package of measures to alleviate the energy crisis caused by the war in Iran, Brussels also advocates for administrations to reduce public transport prices and for them to be free for certain groups.

The European Commission, which will present the plan next Wednesday, also plans to give member states more flexibility to approve energy measures and reduce electricity bills, as already announced by the president of the Community executive herself, Ursula von der Leyen, this Monday. According to Brussels data, the war initiated by the United States and Israel in the Middle East has already cost the European Union more than 22 billion euros in additional fossil fuel imports.

In this way, in the package of measures it will present next week, the European Commission opens the door for member states to help households and industry bear the cost of the energy they consume. Specifically, according to the draft proposal, which is still subject to change, state and regional administrations will be able to assume up to 50% of the additional cost of fuel prices and, for example, fertilizers in the case of the primary sector.

On the other hand, Brussels proposes a series of recommendations that member states can apply on a voluntary basis, such as subsidizing the electricity bills of the most vulnerable households in whole or in part, and applying total or partial reductions in special taxes on electricity for certain groups.

In the long term, despite the anti-environmentalist wave driven by the European right and far-right that has led Brussels to lower its climate ambitions, the draft also proposes to advance the energy transition. The EU executive sees it as the only way to achieve the coveted energy sovereignty and to be less vulnerable to other powers or international conflicts such as the war in the Middle East.