Government Establishes Adjustment to National Civil Servants' Work Culture

The government has established an adjustment to the national work culture as a strategic step to address global dynamics, while promoting more efficient, productive, and digitally-based governance. This policy forms part of the national work culture transformation, encompassing changes to the work patterns of civil servants (ASN), including the implementation of a flexible work scheme in the form of working from home or the ASN’s residence (work from home/WFH) one day per week, namely every Friday. The technical arrangements for this policy will be further detailed through a Circular Letter (SE) from the Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) as well as the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri). Minister of PANRB Rini Widyantini emphasised that the implementation of this policy must be accompanied by strengthened performance supervision for ASN to maintain productivity. “With this work pattern adjustment, supervision must be even stricter. ASN performance must remain measurable, accountable, and output-based,” added Rini. Furthermore, she explained that the utilisation of information systems within respective agencies, as well as shared national-level information systems, is key to ensuring the effectiveness of this policy. These systems include evidence of attendance and performance reporting for ASN. “Through this system, each agency can monitor employee performance periodically and objectively, so that work flexibility remains aligned with increased productivity,” she added. “This situation is not an obstacle, but rather a momentum for us to accelerate change towards modern and efficient work behaviour, through prioritisation and refocusing of ministry and agency expenditures,” she stated. She explained that budget reallocation is being carried out from less prioritised expenditures, such as official travel, meetings, non-operational expenditures, and ceremonial activities, towards more productive expenditures that directly impact the public. In addition, this work culture adjustment policy also encourages ASN mobility efficiency, reduction in official travel, and acceleration of digital transformation in government administration. The government assures that the policy still considers the public service sector and strategic sectors that must continue working directly in the office or in the field.