Jakarta. State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir has announced that employees of state-owned companies can take Fridays off, provided they have worked for 40 hours within the week.

"We encourage the implementation of the compressed working schedule program. If they have worked for more than 40 hours, they have the option to take Fridays off. We promote this not to make you lazy," said Erick at the BUMN Corporate Communication and Sustainability Summit, held at Tennis Indoor Senayan, Jakarta, recently.

Erick mentioned that employees can take this day off twice a month. He added that the Friday off initiative aims to address mental health issues.

"Around  70 percent of the younger generation faces mental health problems. That's why we encourage the compressed working schedule," said Erick.

He emphasized that while Indonesia is already experiencing the results of state enterprises' transformation, it is not the time to be complacent. "Challenges are increasing, and we need solutions and innovations that can provide a better life for all state enterprise stakeholders," he said.

As of October 2023, there are 65 companies registered as State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) in Indonesia, a decrease from 142 companies in 2019. The total workforce amounts to 1.6 million employees.