Expert assesses WFH policy will not significantly disrupt productivity
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Public policy expert from Padjadjaran University, Bonti Wiradinata, views the work-from-home (WFH) policy as part of the national work culture transformation and energy efficiency, stating that it will not significantly disrupt productivity.
“WFH one day a week will not significantly disrupt productivity. In fact, it can increase job satisfaction due to work-life balance,” Bonti said when contacted from Jakarta on Thursday.
According to him, the policy will not affect productivity, particularly in private companies in the services and technology sectors.
Additionally, he believes that challenges or concerns due to incomplete digitalisation of public services can be addressed by the government continuing to promote integrated digital work (IDW).
He stated that IDW ensures the government maintains the performance of each civil servant (ASN) in serving the public.
Regarding the economic aspect, he views that cost savings from operational expenses due to the WFH policy can enable institutions to allocate those budgets for technology investments, thereby potentially increasing productivity in the long term.
According to him, such savings can occur due to the potential reduction in electricity consumption resulting from the WFH policy.
“Assuming 20-30 percent of the workforce implements WFH, there is significant potential for a reduction in office electricity consumption,” he said.
Nevertheless, he reminds the government that there is a potential for WFH employees to still not save on fuel (BBM) due to travel from home.
“This needs to be considered, as WFH does not necessarily encourage ASNs to stay at home,” he said.
He also reminds the government that genuine energy efficiency policies are still needed, such as massively building integrated public transportation infrastructure.
“Without that, the savings on Friday will be offset by traffic jams on Saturday and Sunday because people feel they have leftover energy and costs for travel,” he warned.
Previously, on 17 March 2026, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the government is studying several measures to reduce BBM consumption. One of the options is WFH.
Some time after that, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya announced that the government is implementing a national work culture transformation and energy efficiency policy, starting from 1 April 2026. One of the policies is national WFH for ASNs every Friday.
The Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian then announced the issuance of a circular regulating the combination of WFH and office work implementation for regional government ASNs.
On 1 April 2026, the Minister of Manpower Yassierli stated that the WFH policy for the private sector is a recommendation, and if implemented, employees’ salaries will be paid in full.