Finance Minister Purbaya Chooses Friday as WFH Day, Says It Can Save Fuel

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa believes that the government’s forthcoming work-from-home (WFH) policy will not disrupt national economic productivity and could even provide energy efficiency benefits.

According to him, from both fiscal and economic activity perspectives, the WFH policy will not have a significant impact on national productivity if implemented selectively.

“It won’t (disrupt it), if we choose carefully. If we pick Friday, there will definitely be savings on fuel of some percentage, I don’t know the details because it can vary depending on oil prices,” Purbaya said when met at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Friday.

He explained that strategic sectors such as manufacturing industries and public services will continue to operate normally, as not all types of work can be done remotely.

In addition, the implementation of WFH is seen as potentially reducing fuel oil (BBM) consumption due to decreased public mobility, although the amount of savings still depends on oil prices.

“As for productivity, for factories and so on that require continuous work, they don’t have to do it. And public services will continue as usual. So it should be fine if it’s just one day. Our total productivity won’t be too disrupted,” Purbaya clarified.

He added that discussions on the WFH policy are still ongoing at the government level and are being directly monitored by President Prabowo Subianto.

According to him, the government is still holding a series of follow-up meetings to finalise the implementation scheme before it is officially announced.

“The President is monitoring it directly. This will be announced soon by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy (Airlangga Hartarto),” he added.