Ministry of Social Affairs Begins Simulation of WFH Policy Except for People's School
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) has begun conducting a simulation of the Work From Home (WFH) policy for civil servants (ASN) within its organisation.
Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf stated during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday that the simulation step was taken in response to the President’s instructions regarding adjustments to a flexible working system.
“We are currently conducting a simulation, but we will certainly await the regulations to be established by the Ministry of PANRB in accordance with the President’s directives. We will adjust accordingly, but we have already started the simulation under the coordination of Mr Secretary General,” he said.
In the simulation scheme being designed, he explained that the ministry is attempting to implement a WFH pattern on certain days, such as Fridays.
This is intended to assess the effectiveness of task distribution between employees working in the office (Work From Office/WFO) and those working remotely.
The Minister emphasised that the primary priority during this simulation period is to maintain the quality of public services.
“Our priority is to ensure that services are not disrupted. So, services to the public are not disrupted, but we can also share between WFO and WFH,” he remarked.
In addition to discussing the employee working system, the Minister also provided an explanation regarding the operational policy of the People’s School programme.
He affirmed that the school’s operations will continue normally in person and will not be affected by the WFH working system adjustments.
The decision to continue face-to-face teaching and learning activities was made considering the conditions of the students at the People’s School who reside in dormitories.
The students are scheduled to resume learning activities at the school starting from Monday (29/3) after the end of the Eid al-Fitr holiday period.
“We will make adjustments. Until now, these children happen to be boarding, so it will continue as usual. There are no plans for hybrid yet for the People’s School,” he remarked.
Previously, during a cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday (13/3), President Prabowo Subianto encouraged measures to save fuel consumption and consider a Work From Home policy as an anticipatory step against the impact of the global crisis.
“I ask that this be discussed later, perhaps by the Coordinating Ministers, how many days we see this. We think about it. Previously, we handled COVID successfully. And we were able, many worked from home, efficiency, meaning we saved a very large amount of fuel,” Prabowo said.
Several other countries have announced energy-saving policies in response to global uncertainties.
For example, Thailand has asked civil servants to work from home to reduce electricity and fuel consumption, limit the use of lifts and escalators, and set air conditioner temperatures between 26-27 degrees Celsius.
The Philippines has implemented a four-day workweek system in the public sector, while Pakistan is preparing an energy-saving plan through distance learning and work-from-home arrangements.