Effects of shorter work weeks unclear

Effects of shorter work weeks unclear

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for Administrative Reforms T.B.
Silalahi says reports by government agencies on five-day working
week trials are not reliable because they are not supported by
accurate data.

The government agencies assigned to try out the shorter
working week have all submitted their reports and
recommendations, Silalahi said during a meeting with officials in
Bandarlampung yesterday.

"But, alas, if you just use your common sense, the reliability
of those reports is questionable because of the lack of data," he
said, as quoted by Antara.

He said his office would study the reports carefully to
determine the future of the shorter working week scheme.

The trial-run project of the shorter working week began last
year. After it has been assessed the central government will
decide whether the shorter week will be introduced as scheduled
on Aug. 17.

According to Silalahi, all agencies recommend that the five-
working day scheme be adopted on a permanent basis as of Aug. 17,
when the Republic of Indonesia celebrates its 50th birthday.

Objections to the plan have come from Moslem leaders,
especially in Java, who are worried that it could lead to the
closure of Islamic schools whose students take regular courses at
public schools in the morning and would have to stay into the
late afternoon if the plan were implemented.

"The numerous reports that have reached my office say that the
shorter working week will greatly help improve civil servants'
productivity. But again, the lack of supporting data makes them
hard to believe," he said.

He said that the government agencies had, in general, provided
neither quantitative nor qualitative data on how the shorter week
improved efficiency and productivity during the trial run.

For example, they did not compare their spending before and
after they applied the shorter week, to support their argument
that the scheme improved efficiency, Silalahi said.

Neither did they present quantitative data on how the shorter
working week improved the productivity of their employees, he
added.

The State Administrative Reforms office has established a team
to evaluate the reports and recommendations on the future of the
plan.

Silalahi reiterated that the main purpose of the scheme was to
improve civil servants' productivity and service to the public.
In addition, the scheme would enable civil servants to minimize
their offices' expenditures and to enjoy longer weekends with
their families, the minister said.

In some countries, such as Singapore, a shorter working week
has proven effective in improving, not only employees'
productivity, but also their attitude towards work.

"Our discipline is still far from Singapore's and it is a
challenge for us to improve," he said.

Silalahi announced that, in connection with the golden
anniversary of Indonesia's independence, the government would
present Abdi Satya Bhakti awards to the government agencies which
provided the best service to the public.

The government called on local administrations to compete for
the awards, which would be presented by President Soeharto,
Silalahi said.

The competition, he said, aimed at encouraging government
offices to offer good service to the public.

"Good service is essential for government administrations in
regencies that will get greater autonomy next fiscal year," he
said. (rms)