Purbaya and Airlangga Agree on Friday for ASN WFH, Here's Why
The government is implementing a work from home (WFH) policy for one day per week for civil servants (ASN) to save on fuel oil (BBM) consumption amid global turbulence.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa considers Friday the most appropriate day for the policy, as its impact on productivity is deemed the smallest.
“Friday has the shortest working hours. So the loss to productivity is considered the smallest. Meanwhile, the commute is the same from here to the office,” said Purbaya in Jakarta on Wednesday (25/3/2026).
He explained that on Fridays, ASN activities are generally shorter.
This condition, according to him, also reflects work patterns in the private sector, including factories.
“Here, it’s morning exercise, not long for Friday prayers, then go home. Factories are the same, the shortest. So we choose the one with the least shock to productivity,” he said.
In agreement, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto also revealed the reason for selecting Friday as the WFH day for ASN.
According to him, the workload on that day is indeed relatively lighter compared to other working days.
“We chose Friday because Friday is half a day. Meaning not full from Monday to Thursday,” said Airlangga in a virtual press conference in Jakarta.
In addition to workload considerations, the government also notes that flexible work patterns have actually been implemented in several ministries since the Covid-19 pandemic.
With digital system support, some agencies have become accustomed to a four-day office and one-day work from home pattern.
Nevertheless, Airlangga emphasised that this policy will not disrupt public services or strategic sector activities.
Public services will continue to run normally, while sectors such as banking, capital markets, and other economic activities will operate as usual.
“Public services will continue to run, and productive activities including banking, capital markets, and others will continue to operate. That is regulated respectively with the systems they have,” he explained.