One Day of WFH Every Friday: Here's Purbaya's Calculation on the Economy

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has revealed that the government’s forthcoming work-from-home (WFH) policy could have a positive effect on Indonesia’s economy. He stated that the measure, aimed at managing fuel oil (BBM) consumption amid disrupted global crude oil supplies due to conflicts in the Middle East, has the potential to reduce fuel demand by up to 20%. However, it also carries other consumption-boosting effects. These economic boosts would occur if the WFH policy, to be announced soon by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, is set for every Friday, as the impact on productivity pressure would be minimal. “Fridays have the shortest working hours. So the loss to productivity is considered the smallest. Meanwhile, the commute to the office is the same,” Purbaya said at his office in Jakarta on Wednesday (25/3/2026). He explained that for civil servants (ASN), Fridays are typically used for morning group exercises, and working hours are also shortened by the Friday prayer obligation. According to him, this is similar in the private sector, including factories. “Here in the morning we exercise, not long for Friday prayers, after prayers we relax, then go home. Factories are the same, the shortest. So it’s chosen as the one with the least shock to productivity,” Purbaya added. Purbaya said the WFH implementation plan was discussed in a virtual meeting led by Coordinating Minister Airlangga yesterday. The meeting was also attended by Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, Investment Minister/Head of BKPM Rosan Roeslani, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. Tito explained that the meeting also discussed WFH policies for civil servants (ASN) to save fuel oil following the global oil price surge. Nevertheless, he was reluctant to reveal details of the plan. “We had the meeting yesterday, almost three or four hours. Yes, but we agreed to speak with one voice, meaning the one who delivers it. I don’t know who at the palace. Whether Coordinating Minister for PMK (Pratikno), Coordinating Minister for Economy (Airlangga Hartarto), or later by Mr. State Secretary (Prasetyo Hadi). So, we only provide inputs, but I’m not authorised to announce to the public,” Tito said at the Bina Graha Building, Presidential Palace Complex, Central Jakarta. Tito mentioned that one of the schemes under consideration is WFH for one day a week. Although he did not want to disclose when the plan would be implemented. “What I heard is one day a week. But which day will be chosen, let the decider decide. The results of yesterday’s meeting will be reported to the president,” he said. “After there is direction from the president, then it will be officially announced. Just be patient,” he continued.