Calculations on the Decline in Ride-Hailing Income Due to WFH for Civil Servants and Private Employees
The Indonesian Workers’ Transport Union (SPAI) estimates that the planned work-from-home (WFH) policy for civil servants and private employees after Eid will impact the income of online motorcycle taxi drivers. “This will definitely reduce the daily income of ride-hailing drivers,” said SPAI Chairwoman Lily Pujiati in a written statement on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.
In addition to affecting ride-hailing services, Lily stated that the WFH recommendation could reduce income for online taxis and couriers. Lily explained that the income decline is caused by the work scheme shrinking demand for passenger transport, goods delivery, as well as food and beverages.
Lily noted that data from the Ministry of Transportation in 2025 recorded around 7 million online ride-hailing drivers. Meanwhile, she estimated the average gross daily income for ride-hailing drivers at approximately Rp 100,000. Thus, according to Lily, many drivers will experience a reduction in income.
In addition to highlighting the WFH policy to ensure income certainty, Lily urged the government to establish the right of drivers to receive the minimum wage (UMP).
According to Lily, ride-hailing drivers are entitled to UMP income because they are workers regulated under employment relationships as per Article 1 Paragraph 15 of Law No. 13 of 2003 on Manpower.
From the business side, the government’s WFH plan has drawn responses from entrepreneurs. Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Regional Autonomy Sarman Simanjorang assessed that the policy could suppress household consumption. “The transportation sector will be pressured due to declining passengers,” said Sarman via text message on Monday, 23 March 2026.
In addition to transportation, Sarman said the WFH policy will reduce turnover for MSMEs in the food or beverage sector that usually sell snacks in office canteens. Sarman is concerned that this pressure on household spending could hinder economic growth in the second quarter of 2026.
Moreover, in the second quarter, there will be no momentum to boost public purchasing power as occurred in the first three months of this year. Major religious holidays such as Chinese New Year to Eid, which can drive purchasing power, have taken place simultaneously in the first quarter of 2026.
For this reason, Sarman asked the government to consider mitigation steps for the policy taken so that the national economic growth target does not deviate significantly.
Sarman said not all companies can implement such a work system. Some jobs that are not feasible include service sectors such as shopping centres or malls, hotels, restaurants, cafes, transportation, healthcare services, banking, vehicle services, and manufacturing.
Meanwhile, sectors that can implement WFH are those of an administrative nature that can be done through digital systems.
Regarding the WFH policy, Sarman said it is entirely a government initiative. “The business world was not involved in making this policy,” he said.
The government has confirmed that the WFH policy will be implemented after Eid as an energy-saving effort amid rising world oil prices. The WFH policy will only apply for one day per week.
Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that this policy applies to civil servants (ASN) and is also recommended for the private sector. “(The WFH) rules will be detailed. But after Eid, we will implement it. For ASN and recommendations for the private sector. But not for those working in public service sectors,” Airlangga said when met after Eid prayers in Jakarta on Saturday, 21 March 2026, as quoted from Antara.
He added that the government will also coordinate with the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure effective implementation.
On the same occasion, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa revealed that implementing WFH for one day can provide energy efficiency impacts, particularly in saving fuel oil (BBM). “There is a rough calculation… (WFH can save) one-fifth, approximately 20 percent (of BBM usage),” said Purbaya.
Purbaya explained that the reason for implementing this policy only one day is to maintain a balance between work flexibility and productivity. “Otherwise, it would be all holidays. Then no work gets done. So WFH, sometimes there are things that can’t be done well with WFH,” he said.
Purbaya added that if WFH is implemented for one day, for example on Friday, it will create a longer weekend sequence, namely Friday–Saturday–Sunday. This is seen as able to encourage household activities while providing a small boost to the tourism sector.