Home Ministry's Directive to Local Government Civil Servants: WFH Every Friday Until Official Travel is Reduced

JAKARTA - The Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian has issued Circular Number 800.1.5/3349/SJ on the Transformation of Civil Servant Work Culture in Local Government Environments. This circular follows up on the government’s policy to implement work from home (WFH) for civil servants (ASN) within the scope of local governments. Tito stated that the circular he issued will take effect from 1 April 2026 and will be periodically evaluated. It is known that the government has issued a policy for WFH or working from home for ASN every Friday. However, a number of echelon I and II officials in the regions, sub-district heads, ward heads/village heads, and public service sectors are exempt from the WFH policy. “So this includes leaders at the provincial level, for example, high leadership positions at the madya echelon one level, then echelon two pratama,” Tito said during a virtual press conference on Tuesday (31/3/2026). Meanwhile, at the district/city level, WFH exemptions also apply to high leadership positions at the pratama level, administrators or echelon III, sub-district heads, ward heads, and village heads. They must still be present directly at the office to ensure that government coordination and public services are not disrupted. In addition to structural officials, several public service units are also not included in the every-Friday work-from-home policy. Some services that must still operate fully from the office include emergency sectors, readiness, public tranquillity, and general order. “Then waste cleanliness, population affairs, licensing, health, education, regional revenue, and other public services,” Tito continued.