Government Urges Companies to Provide Work Flexibility for Employees on 18 August 2026, Here's Why
Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi has urged all heads of government institutions, public bodies, and private companies to provide work flexibility for employees on 18 August 2026.
The appeal is set out in Circular Letter of the Minister of State Secretary Number: B-17/M/S/TU.00.03/08/2026.
Quoted from the circular on Sunday, 16 August 2026, the appeal is intended to encourage the public to celebrate and reflect on independence in their own ways.
“To all heads of government institutions, public bodies, and private companies, please provide flexibility and work arrangements for all employees in their respective workplaces on 18 August 2026,” the appeal states.
However, the work flexibility must still take into account conditions within each organisation. The arrangements are to be adjusted according to workload and applicable operational needs.
“The provision of flexibility and work arrangements should remain adjusted to the conditions, workload, and operational needs applicable in each organisation,” reads the second point of the circular.
Under these provisions, the implementation of work flexibility on 18 August 2026 may be arranged according to the conditions of each institution, public body, or company. Operational needs remain a consideration in its application.
In addition, the circular gives special attention to government institutions, public bodies, and private companies that provide direct services to the public.
Sectors mentioned include health, banking, telecommunications, energy, security, public order, transport, and other essential services.
“Specifically for government institutions, public bodies, or private companies that function to provide direct services to the public, including but not limited to health services, banking, telecommunications, energy, security, public order, transport, and other essential services, please always arrange staff assignments proportionally to ensure public services continue to run optimally,” reads the third point of the circular.
This means that work arrangements must still consider the needs of public services. Staff assignments in direct service sectors are requested to be arranged proportionally so that service activities continue to run optimally.
The circular was issued as an appeal to provide space for the public to celebrate, reflect on, and give thanks for independence on 18 August 2026. Its implementation still takes into account productivity, conditions, workload, and operational needs of each organisation.