March 28, 2026 | 10:55 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The one-day remote work policy floated by the Indonesian government will not disrupt the economy, said Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. The plan is brought up against the backdrop of the energy crisis triggered by the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Purbaya said the policy will be efficient in cutting energy consumption if the government strategically choose the work-from-home day, citing Fridays as example. "It should not be a problem if it's just for one day. Our overall productivity will not be significantly disrupted," said Purbaya at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday, March 27, 2026.
Purbaya is optimistic that the one-day remote work policy could reduce fuel usage, but admitted to not knowing the detailed numbers. "It is subject to change depending on oil prices," he said.
According to the minister, the work-from-home policy is not mandatory for sectors that require continuous operations, such as factories or essential public services.
Separately, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto ensured that the one-day remote work policy for public and private employees would be decided by March 2026. But the minister stopped short of making an official announcement, stating that "there is still time" before March ends.
The remote work plan emerged mid-March 2026, as President Prabowo Subianto called for measures to save fuel during a cabinet meeting at State Palace. He also considered the work-from-home policy as a precautionary measure against the impact of the global crisis.
Global oil prices surged after the Middle East war broke, triggered by the joint attacks on Iran by the US and Israel.
Energy economist and lecturer at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Fahmy Radhi deemed it difficult to enforce remote work for government employees and private workers, since it involves change in work patterns.
If the policy is applied on Fridays, workers may not work from home, but from tourist destinations while enjoying a long weekend. "As a result, fuel consumption cannot be significantly saved," he said in a written statement on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, work from home successfully saved fuel consumption since there was a variable of compulsion to avoid getting infected with Covid-19. This variable does not exist in the upcoming one-day remote work policy.
The policy also potentially harms the transportation sector, including ride-share drivers and micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) that have been providing lunch for workers.
Ilona Estherina contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: Purbaya Confirms WFH Policy Final, Announcement Coming Soon
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