Indonesia Adopts One Remote Day Per Week to Curb Energy Use

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has implemented a work-from-home (WFH) policy for civil servants every Friday to reduce energy consumption amidst current global dynamics. This policy will take effect starting April 2026 for an initial two months, as part of efforts to curb energy use amid the current Middle East crisis between U.S.-Israel joint forces and Iran.

In a press release published on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, announced "eight work culture transformations". One of them is adopting Friday as a remote working day for government workers.

"The first is implementation of work-from-home for state civil servants in central and regional agencies, which is carried out for one working day a week, namely every Friday," Airlangga said, as monitored by RRI Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta.

"(It) is regulated through the Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform and the Minister of Home Affairs' circular letters," he conveyed.

The Minister further stated that a similar policy will also apply to private employees. However, it will be regulated in a separate circular, in which the government appeals for an energy-efficient attitude in the workplace.

"...Work-from-home for the private sector is further regulated through a circular from the Minister of Manpower, while still taking into account the characteristics and needs of each business sector," he said.

Nevertheless, works related to public services are exempt from this policy, including some strategic sectors. This includes health, security, industry, energy, food and beverages, trade, transportation, logistics, and finance.

Moreover, Airlangga added that school activities remain as usual, with higher education institutions from semester 4 and above can be "adjusted flexibly". The public is encouraged to conserve energy daily and use public transportation to maintain productivity.