Jakarta. Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian said Wednesday that the proposed work-from-home policy was nothing new, as Indonesia has implemented similar measures during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government is mulling ordering employees to work from home once a week to save fuel. The move aims to mitigate the global energy shocks inflicted by the protracted Iran war.

“I don’t have a problem with it. This is not the first time we have done so. During the Covid-19 era, we had the WFH [work-from-home] measure during the pandemic. Only 25% of the employees went to the office,” Tito told reporters at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday. 

“This is not something new. We have experience.”

Tito did not elaborate on the details, saying that President Prabowo Subianto will make an official announcement. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa also admitted Friday would be the best option to implement the WFH measures.

“Friday has the shortest working hours. This way, the potential productivity loss will be the smallest. The distance [from one’s home] to the office remains the same regardless whether you work from home or not. That’s why we are considering the day with the least impact on productivity,” Purbaya told a separate press briefing.

A US-Israeli coordinated strike on Iran had sparked energy shocks after Tehran had effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation. The strategic waterway is one of the world’s busiest oil shipping channels. The paralysis has also caused oil prices to exceed $100 a barrel.

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