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In one of his first official acts after taking office, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order today requiring federal workers to return to the office fulltime.

The measure was one of several executive orders Trump signed during a public event at an arena in Washington DC attended by thousands of his supporters.

“Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements,” the White House said in a statement confirming the executive order.

The measure also requires employees “to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a fulltime basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary”.

“This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law,” it added.

The language in the statement underscores the challenges the new Trump administration is likely to face in enforcing the executive order, given the strong opposition to ending remote work by unions representing public-sector workers.

Work-from-home allowances flourished during the Covid-19 pandemic, when millions of white-collar workers moved online as their employers looked to reduce the spread of the virus.

The measures proved popular with employees, who voiced support for the newfound flexibility it afforded them in their personal lives.

Many of Trump’s most ardent supporters, including his billionaire ally and mega-donor Elon Musk, have said work-from-home policies were inefficient and have called for federal workers to return to the office fulltime.

– Agence France-Presse

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