Apindo Recommends WFH for Private Sector on Wednesdays, Here's Why

The Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) believes that the work-from-home (WFH) policy for one day per week in the private sector should be applied on Wednesdays. Apindo’s Head of Labour Affairs, Bob Azam, explained that the choice of Wednesday is based on considerations for controlling mobility. Placing the WFH day in the middle of the week is more effective than at the end of the working week, such as Friday, as implemented by the government for civil servants (ASN). “Wednesday in the middle of the week rather than Friday, which is feared to trigger mobility,” he told Kompas.com on Wednesday (1/4/2026). This longer weekend break is feared to be used by workers for weekend travel purposes, which could impact traffic density and outdoor activities. As a result, the implementation of WFH could potentially miss its target by causing additional energy use, contrary to the original aim of reducing energy consumption. Previously, the Ministry of Manpower (Kemenaker) issued a circular urging business actors in the private sector, SOEs, and regional public companies to also implement WFH for one day per week, like ASN. Although it is only an exhortation, the government hopes that business actors will adopt this policy to save energy consumption amid the high volatility of world oil prices. “Private company leaders, state-owned enterprises, and regional public companies are urged to implement work-from-home (WFH) for workers or labourers for one working day in one week,” said Minister of Manpower Yassierli while reading the content of the Minister of Manpower’s Circular Number M6 HK04/III 2026 at a press conference in his office, Jakarta, on Wednesday. However, the government allows business actors to determine the technical implementation of WFH themselves according to the company’s conditions, and the WFH working hours are regulated by the company. “Because the WFH policy does not impact economic growth, it is in the nature of an exhortation. Each company certainly has its own uniqueness, so the technical aspects related to WFH are left to the company,” he said. Clearly, added Yassierli, the implementation of WFH is done without reducing workers’ rights. Companies are prohibited from cutting wages or salaries or annual leave for workers on the grounds of WFH. On the other hand, workers must still carry out their work in accordance with their duties and obligations during WFH.