Jakarta Firms Told to Adjust Working Hours ahead of Indonesia's New Normal

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Indonesian government has ordered Jakarta-based firms to implement new working hours ahead of the city’s new normal.

The directive is meant to prevent overcrowding in public transport facilities and help stem the spread of Covid-19.

Jakarta has been transitioning into the new normal since June 5 and the restarting of economic activity can lead to weak enforcement of physical distancing protocols.

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According to the Spokesperson of the National Covid-19 Task Force, Achmad Yurianto, physical distancing will be difficult to enforce in public transportation facilities.

Based on government assessment, workers from the private sector and state companies comprise 75 percent of commuter line passengers, said Yuri.

Nearly 45 percent of those passengers travel to work between 5:30-6:30 am.

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“This is what will make it difficult to enforce physical distancing protocols,” said Yuri.

The government has thus ordered two new working hours for Jakarta firms to adopt in the lead up to Indonesia’s new normal.

The first option is to apply working hours that start between 7:00-7:30 am and end between 3:00-3:30 pm.

The second option is working hours that start from 10:00-10:30 am and ends between 5:00-5:30 pm. The new working hours in Jakarta apply for state-owned enterprises, private companies, and government ministries.

“These measures are meant to strike a balance between public transportation capacity and the number of passengers. In doing so, health protocols especially for physical distancing will be ensured,” said Yuri.

Yuri also explained that workers with a pre-existing condition or senior citizens should continue working from home despite the imposition of the new working hours in Jakarta.

A tough battle to beat