MP: WFH Policy for Civil Servants Must Still Guarantee Public Services

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of the House of Representatives Commission II, Deddy Sitorus, stated that the discourse on implementing a work-from-home (WFH) policy for civil servants (ASN) must still guarantee public services.

He assessed that the WFH policy for ASN would be effective only for non-essential employees not directly involved in public service functions. According to him, each agency needs to determine the types of employees or jobs permitted for WFH.

“This is to ensure the continuity of public services and essential services for the general public and those with interests in government agency services,” said Deddy in Jakarta on Thursday.

On the other hand, he said that the effectiveness of WFH would greatly depend on internal oversight mechanisms and technology. If there are no reliable standard operating procedures (SOPs) and technology and equipment are unavailable, the policy will not be effective.

“Every ASN conducting WFH must be connected via computer during working hours so that they can be monitored and work productivity is not disrupted,” he said.

According to him, the government must ensure that ASN on WFH do not “go sightseeing” because they consider it a holiday. If so, it will not be effective for fuel efficiency (BBM), which is the main objective.

Previously, the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian said the work-from-home (WFH) discourse is proposed to be carried out one day per week, although the finalisation of the decision awaits presidential instructions.

Tito himself emphasised that the WFH scheme is not something new, given that the same work pattern was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, has also stated that this policy applies to Civil Servants (ASN) and is encouraged for the private sector as well.