Labour Minister emphasises that WFH for private sector employees is a recommendation

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Labour Minister Yassierli has emphasised that the work from home (WFH) policy for one day a week for private sector employees is a recommendation, taking into account operational needs and each company’s policies.

“Yes, it is a recommendation because the WFH policy certainly does not impact economic growth,” said the Labour Minister in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He emphasised this when media personnel confirmed whether the Circular Letter (SE) of the Minister of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia Number M/6/HK.04/III/2026 on Work From Home and the Energy Utilisation Optimisation Programme in the Workplace is a recommendation or an obligation for companies.

He stated that the implementation of WFH is entirely left to each company, considering the business characteristics and activities to ensure they run optimally according to operational needs and to maintain employee productivity.

“So it is a recommendation and each company certainly has its own uniqueness, so the technical aspects related to work from home are left to the companies,” he said.

The circular also aims to encourage wise energy utilisation in the workplace through collaboration between companies and workers to improve efficiency and provide mutual benefits for both parties.

He hopes that the policy will be utilised by the private sector to design joint programmes with labour unions or workers to promote energy savings and increase efficiency that positively impacts companies and national workers.

“We are confident that this momentum will be used by friends from the private sector to design various programmes in collaboration with labour unions/worker unions on how to be more efficient and wiser in energy use at the workplace,” said the Labour Minister.

“We want 1 April to become a national momentum together. So this recommendation should be followed and implemented effectively starting today,” said the Labour Minister.

In the Circular Letter (SE) of the Minister of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia Number M/6/HK.04/III/2026 on Work From Home and the Energy Utilisation Optimisation Programme in the Workplace, companies are still required to provide workers’ rights even if WFH is implemented, such as full salaries up to annual leave.

In addition, the implementation of WFH has exceptions for the energy, health, infrastructure and public services sectors, retail/trade, industry and production, services, food and beverages, transportation and logistics, and finance.