Public Services Sector Remains in the Office, Purbaya: Can't Be Done with WFH

The government has set a work-from-home (WFH) policy after the 2026 Eid al-Fitr collective leave period ends. The fluctuating global oil prices due to escalations in the Strait of Hormuz have prompted the implementation of WFH for civil servants and private sector employees to support national energy resilience. “WFH will be detailed, but after Eid, we will implement it. (It applies) to civil servants and a recommendation for the private sector,” explained Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, quoted from Kompas.com on Saturday (21/3/2026). “(It applies to) civil servants and a recommendation for the private sector. However, not for public services. (Coordination later) with the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Home Affairs,” Airlangga clarified. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa affirmed the statement from Coordinating Minister Airlangga. Indeed, there are several sectors where implementing WFH for one day per week is not feasible. To date, the implementation of WFH is still under review by the government across ministries. The clear target of WFH is fuel savings. Purbaya has a rough calculation where savings could reach 20 percent. “There is a very rough calculation … (WFH could save) one-fifth, approximately 20 percent (of fuel usage),” Purbaya explained. Goldman Sachs predicts Brent crude oil prices to rise 0.23 percent to $112.42 per barrel (Rp 1,903,965, at an exchange rate of Rp 16,900 per barrel). The rise also affects US West Texas Intermediate crude oil, increasing about 0.28 percent to $98.51 per barrel (Rp 1,665,981 per barrel). “Assuming that the Hormuz flow remains at 5 percent (of normal supply) until 10 April 2026, prices are likely to trend upwards during that period,” said Goldman Sachs analysts, quoted from CNBC on Monday (23/3/2026). Escalations in the Strait of Hormuz are predicted to continue.