Jakarta. Indonesia is considering a mandatory weekly work-from-home day (WFH) — either Wednesday or Friday — for central government employees to cut fuel use.

The policy forms part of a broader effort to reduce energy use. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the scheme could cut fuel consumption by up to 20% from normal levels.

Purbaya said Friday is being considered as the preferred WFH day, citing shorter working hours due to extended midday breaks for Muslim congregational prayers.

“Friday has the shortest working hours, so the potential productivity loss is considered minimal,” he said on Wednesday.

The plan is expected to be introduced after the Eid al-Fitr holiday for central government staff, with the possibility of later expansion to private-sector workers and regional governments.

Essential Services to Continue

Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian said regional governments are familiar with similar arrangements and can implement the policy while maintaining essential services.

“There is no problem. Regional administrations have experience, but we will provide further guidance, especially for newly elected leaders. Essential services such as transportation, emergency services, hospitals and sanitation must continue,” Tito said in Jakarta.

He added that the final decision on the designated WFH day will be announced after further discussions and presidential approval.

Debate Over Best Day

Lawmakers have raised concerns over the choice of Friday. Ahmad Irawan, a member of House Commission II, suggested Wednesday as a better option, warning that a Friday WFH policy could be perceived as a long weekend and encourage travel.

“If WFH is held on Friday, it may be used for travel. The public could perceive it as an extended holiday,” he said.

He argued that a midweek arrangement would help maintain productivity and limit additional leave taken before or after the remote-work day.

East Java Moves Ahead

The East Java provincial government has opted to implement WFH every Wednesday starting in early April 2026.

Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said the move aligns with the central government’s energy-saving initiative. “Starting next week, WFH will be implemented on Wednesdays. Employees will work on-site on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday,” she said in Surabaya.

Khofifah stressed that WFH is not a relaxation of work rules but a flexible arrangement requiring discipline and productivity. She added that WFH is preferable to work-from-anywhere (WFA), as it helps maintain oversight while reducing unnecessary mobility.

She also noted that Fridays are often seen as the start of a long weekend, potentially increasing travel and fuel use, whereas a Wednesday policy helps preserve work rhythm.

On average, civil servants in East Java commute about 14 kilometers each way. A weekly WFH policy is therefore expected to significantly improve energy efficiency.

Most government institutions say they are ready to adopt a weekly WFH system, stating that similar arrangements were widely implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The choice of day, however, remains under discussion.

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