Independence Day: Government Urges Work Flexibility for Employees on 18 August

The government has issued an appeal to give the public the opportunity to celebrate and reflect on independence during the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. The appeal is set out in a Circular Letter from the Minister of State Secretary.

In circular letter Number: B-17/M/S/TU.00.03/08/2026, heads of government agencies, public institutions, and private companies are urged to provide flexibility and work flexibility to employees on 18 August 2026. So, what are the provisions?

Appeal for Work Flexibility on 18 August

In the circular letter, heads of government agencies, public institutions, and private companies are urged to provide flexibility and work flexibility to all employees in their respective environments on 18 August 2026. This appeal is made to encourage the public to celebrate and reflect on independence in their own ways.

“To all heads of government agencies, public institutions, and private companies, please provide flexibility and work flexibility for all employees in their respective work environments on 18 August 2026,” reads the first point of the circular letter.

Implementation Adjusted to Organisational Conditions

The flexibility and work flexibility must still take into account the conditions of each organisation. The arrangements are adjusted to the workload and operational needs that apply.

“The provision of flexibility and work flexibility should still be adjusted to the conditions, workload, and operational needs applicable in each organisation,” reads the second point of the circular letter.

With these provisions, the implementation of work flexibility on 18 August 2026 can be arranged according to the conditions of each agency, public institution, or company. Operational needs remain a consideration in its implementation.

Essential Public Services Must Continue to Operate

The circular letter also gives special attention to government agencies, public institutions, and private companies that provide direct services to the public. The sectors mentioned include health, banking, telecommunications, energy, security, public order, transport, and other essential services.

“Specifically for government agencies, public institutions, 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 the assignment of employees proportionally to ensure that services to the public continue to run optimally,” reads the third point of the circular letter.

This means that work arrangements must still consider the needs of public services. Staffing assignments in direct service sectors are requested to be arranged proportionally so that service activities continue to run optimally.

The circular letter 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.

For agencies and companies that provide direct services to the public, staff assignments still need to be arranged proportionally. In this way, the opportunity to reflect on independence can still be provided without disrupting the continuity of public services.