Jakarta Civil Servants to Work from Home on Fridays, Testing Public Service Delivery

Starting Friday (10 April 2026), the face of civil servant (ASN) work in Jakarta is changing. No longer fully present in the office, some employees will now work from home. This stems from efforts to boost efficiency but also revives long-standing questions about whether public services will remain unaffected. The policy is also part of the central government’s response to global pressures, including the need for energy savings following the conflict in the Middle East. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto announced the policy on Tuesday (31 March 2026). Nevertheless, he assured that public services will continue as usual. The work system is left to each agency to regulate, including through the use of digital applications. In Jakarta, the policy has been translated into more technical rules. DKI Governor Pramono Anung has set regulations via Circular Letter No. 3/SE/2026. Under this scheme, only 25 to 50 percent of ASN in each regional device organisation (OPD) are permitted to work from home every Friday. Not all ASN can enjoy this flexibility. There are conditions to be met, namely a minimum of two years’ service, not currently undergoing disciplinary punishment, and still fulfilling attendance and daily performance reporting obligations. Moreover, in practice, supervision has been tightened. ASN must attend online twice a day, maintain active communication, and ensure cameras are on during meetings.