Deputy Chairman of the MPR Supports the Implementation of WFH After Eid to Save Fuel English:

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the MPR Eddy Soeparno supports the implementation of the policy of working from home or work from home (WFH) after Lebaran, as an effort to save fuel oil (BBM) in the midst of rising world oil prices.

"Of course this policy saves fuel consumption nationally because of the reduced mobility of the community, especially workers," Eddy told ANTARA when contacted from Jakarta, Monday.

If schoolchildren are also included in the policy, said Eddy, of course, the mobility of the community will be reduced, so that more fuel can be saved nationally.

However, Eddy noted the importance of the government ensuring that the wheels of the economy do not slow down as a result of the WFH policy.

Eddy asked the industrial and manufacturing sectors to continue operating as part of efforts to maintain the economic wheel, amid efforts to save energy.

"The wheels of the economy should not slow down, especially the industrial and manufacturing sectors which need to continue to operate," said Eddy.

Previously, in a cabinet meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, Friday (13/3), President Prabowo Subianto encouraged steps to save fuel consumption and consider the work from home or WFH policy as a step to anticipate the impact of the global crisis.

Then, on Saturday (21/3), Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto confirmed that the WFH policy would be implemented after Lebaran, as an effort to save energy in the midst of rising world oil prices.

Airlangga stated that this policy applies to the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) and is also urged for the private sector. He also conveyed that WFH will only apply one day a week.

He added that the government would also coordinate with the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure that implementation was effective.

On the same occasion, Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa revealed that the implementation of a day of WFH could have an impact on energy efficiency, especially fuel oil (BBM) savings.

He explained that the reason this policy was only implemented for one day was to maintain a balance between work flexibility and productivity.

Purbaya added that if WFH was implemented one day, for example on Friday, then a longer weekend series would be created, namely Friday-Saturday-Sunday. This is considered to encourage household activities as well as provide a small boost for the tourism sector.