WFH Due to Rising Oil Prices: DPR Member Calls for Comprehensive Study
A member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Muhammad Khozin, stated that the plan for work from home (WFH) needs to be studied comprehensively, based on effectiveness and efficiency.
This WFH policy is being prepared by the government as a response to the escalation of conflict in the Middle East and the rise in global oil prices.
“It needs to be studied precisely, considering the format of WFH that the government will pursue, taking into account the effectiveness of public services, fuel efficiency, and the community’s economy,” said Khozin in a statement in Jakarta on Friday (20/3), citing Antara.
The DPR member from the electoral district of East Java IV (Jember and Lumajang) said that experiences during the COVID-19 period in 2020-2021 could serve as important material in formulating this WFH policy.
According to him, the implementation of the WFH policy must be based on concrete data from the field, both in terms of demographics, policy effectiveness, and considerations of the local community’s economy.
“So, it must truly be based on quantitative field data in issuing this policy,” said Khozin.
Khozin reiterated that the issuance of the policy should not only consider one aspect but must accommodate various factors comprehensively.
He exemplified that implementing one day of WFH per week is deemed insufficient to significantly save fuel.
Therefore, he suggested that this policy be started in areas with high work mobility such as Jakarta, Depok, Bandung, and Surabaya.
In addition, Khozin highlighted the importance of developing comfortable and effective public transportation. If civil servants (ASN) and private workers optimally use public transport, this can have a significant impact on reducing fuel consumption.
“Local governments must design public transport that is comfortable and safe so that ASN and private workers can optimise the use of public transport. This step is not only efficient in fuel consumption but also preserves the environment by reducing air pollution,” said Khozin.
Previously, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that the government is preparing a flexible work scheme in the form of WFH as a response to the rise in oil prices.
“Regarding the study, with the high oil prices, efficiency is needed in work time, where flexibility for work from home will be opened,” said Airlangga in a press statement after a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Thursday (19/3) afternoon.
The policy is designed to provide flexibility for one day of WFH in five working days. This scheme is not only aimed at ASN but also includes the private sector and regional governments.