Effects of shorter work weeks unclear<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for Administrative Reforms T.B.
\nSilalahi says reports by government agencies on five-day working
\nweek trials are not reliable because they are not supported by
\naccurate data.<\/p>\n
The government agencies assigned to try out the shorter
\nworking week have all submitted their reports and
\nrecommendations, Silalahi said during a meeting with officials in
\nBandarlampung yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"But, alas, if you just use your common sense, the reliability
\nof those reports is questionable because of the lack of data,\" he
\nsaid, as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
He said his office would study the reports carefully to
\ndetermine the future of the shorter working week scheme.<\/p>\n
The trial-run project of the shorter working week began last
\nyear. After it has been assessed the central government will
\ndecide whether the shorter week will be introduced as scheduled
\non Aug. 17.<\/p>\n
According to Silalahi, all agencies recommend that the five-
\nworking day scheme be adopted on a permanent basis as of Aug. 17,
\nwhen the Republic of Indonesia celebrates its 50th birthday.<\/p>\n
Objections to the plan have come from Moslem leaders,
\nespecially in Java, who are worried that it could lead to the
\nclosure of Islamic schools whose students take regular courses at
\npublic schools in the morning and would have to stay into the
\nlate afternoon if the plan were implemented.<\/p>\n
\"The numerous reports that have reached my office say that the
\nshorter working week will greatly help improve civil servants'
\nproductivity. But again, the lack of supporting data makes them
\nhard to believe,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said that the government agencies had, in general, provided
\nneither quantitative nor qualitative data on how the shorter week
\nimproved efficiency and productivity during the trial run.<\/p>\n
For example, they did not compare their spending before and
\nafter they applied the shorter week, to support their argument
\nthat the scheme improved efficiency, Silalahi said.<\/p>\n
Neither did they present quantitative data on how the shorter
\nworking week improved the productivity of their employees, he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
The State Administrative Reforms office has established a team
\nto evaluate the reports and recommendations on the future of the
\nplan.<\/p>\n
Silalahi reiterated that the main purpose of the scheme was to
\nimprove civil servants' productivity and service to the public.
\nIn addition, the scheme would enable civil servants to minimize
\ntheir offices' expenditures and to enjoy longer weekends with
\ntheir families, the minister said.<\/p>\n
In some countries, such as Singapore, a shorter working week
\nhas proven effective in improving, not only employees'
\nproductivity, but also their attitude towards work.<\/p>\n
\"Our discipline is still far from Singapore's and it is a
\nchallenge for us to improve,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Silalahi announced that, in connection with the golden
\nanniversary of Indonesia's independence, the government would
\npresent Abdi Satya Bhakti awards to the government agencies which
\nprovided the best service to the public.<\/p>\n
The government called on local administrations to compete for
\nthe awards, which would be presented by President Soeharto,
\nSilalahi said.<\/p>\n
The competition, he said, aimed at encouraging government
\noffices to offer good service to the public.<\/p>\n
\"Good service is essential for government administrations in
\nregencies that will get greater autonomy next fiscal year,\" he
\nsaid. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/effects-of-shorter-work-weeks-unclear-1447893297",
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