When Civil Servants Work from Home, Does the Service Remain the Same?

JAKARTA – The working pattern of civil servants (ASN) in Jakarta enters a new phase this week. Starting Friday (10/4/2026), some ASN will no longer be fully present in the office but will work from home. This work-from-home (WFH) policy every Friday is part of the government’s efficiency measures, particularly related to energy savings amid global dynamics. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto emphasised that the policy applies one day per week for ASN in both central and regional agencies. However, a simple question arises: will public services remain the same? Nevertheless, he assured that public services will continue to run. Each agency is given flexibility to arrange its work system, including utilising technology to keep activities productive. In Jakarta, this policy is implemented through more technical regulations. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung established the implementation of WFH through Circular Letter Number 3/SE/2026. In the regulation, only 25 to 50 percent of ASN in each regional device organisation (OPD) may work from home every Friday. “For work from home or work from everywhere actually, I as Governor have already signed the circular,” said Pramono. Several vital sectors are still required to work from the office or in the field. Health services, education, and social services are not included in the WFH scheme. “Public services must not be disrupted and must not work from home. For example, health matters, social assistance, education that indeed must be in the field,” he stressed.