Government prepares WFH scheme to mitigate impact of rising oil prices

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that the government is preparing a flexible work scheme in the form of work from home (WFH) as a response to the rise in oil prices.

“Regarding the study, that with high oil prices, efficiency in working hours is needed, where flexibility for work from home will be opened,” said Airlangga in a press statement after a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Thursday afternoon.

Airlangga explained that the policy is designed to provide flexibility for one day of WFH in five working days. This scheme is not only aimed at civil servants (ASN), but also includes the private sector and local governments.

According to Airlangga, this policy is still in the technical preparation stage and will be announced further to the public once the concept is mature.

The implementation plan will be carried out after Eid, with the timing to be determined later.

“After Eid, but we will determine the timing later,” he said.

Furthermore, he mentioned that the duration of WFH implementation will adjust to the development of the situation, including oil prices and global conditions.

“We will see the oil price situation, the war situation, so we will follow the situation,” said Airlangga.

Airlangga added that President Prabowo gave a positive response to the WFH plan because it is considered to encourage savings, especially in terms of fuel use due to reduced mobility.

These savings are estimated to reach around one-fifth of the usual consumption.

“(The President’s response) is positive because there are savings, in terms of mobility use of petrol. The savings are quite significant, 1/5 of what we usually spend,” he concluded.

Previously, President Prabowo encouraged steps to save fuel oil (BBM) consumption and consider work-from-home policies as anticipatory measures against the impact of the global crisis.

“Of course, we must now take proactive steps, meaning we must save BBM consumption. We cannot assume that whatever happens, we are safe; yes, we are grateful we are safe, but we have no efforts to reduce our BBM consumption,” said Prabowo at the Full Cabinet Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Friday (13/3).