Could WFH/WFA Return? The Government’s Initial Plan

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — The government is beginning to prepare the option of reintroducing work from home (WFH) or work from anywhere (WFA) ahead of the Christmas 2026 and New Year 2027 holiday period. The Transport Ministry has proposed the flexible working arrangements to reduce congestion as people travel during the holidays.

Aan Suhanan, Director General of Land Transport at the Transport Ministry, said the WFH/WFA proposal would be taken to a coordination meeting with the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture.

“There is also a proposal to implement WFH on certain dates. We have noted them and will propose that they be designated as WFH or work from anywhere at the coordination meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture,” Aan said, as quoted on Saturday (7 November 2026).

In the initial plan, WFH/WFA is proposed for 21 and 22 December 2026, and 4 January 2027. The first two dates fall ahead of the expected peak in outbound holiday travel, while the final date is intended to ease congestion after the peak return flow.

The Transport Ministry estimates that outbound travel will peak on 23 December 2026. Return travel is expected to peak on 3 January 2027, so adjustments to working patterns could help ease vehicle congestion and the movement of travellers.

Aan stressed that the dates are only an initial proposal and will be discussed further. “The proposal was for the 21st and 22nd at the beginning, and then the 4th at the end, and so on,” he said.

The travel peak projections are based on an analysis of historical data on public movement by the Transport Policy Agency, as well as input from toll-road operators and transport associations.

However, the public should not yet regard WFH/WFA on those dates as official policy. The government must first discuss the proposal at an inter-ministerial coordination meeting before deciding on the schedule and implementation arrangements.