Civil Servants Work From Home for Two Weeks as Jakarta Air Remains Unhealthy

The Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov DKI Jakarta) implemented a work-from-home (WFH) policy for some civil servants (ASN) starting August 21, 2023.

This policy is planned to last until October 21, 2023, aiming to reduce air pollution from vehicle emissions in the capital city.

So, how was Jakarta's air quality while civil servants worked from home?

According to IQAir data, up to the second week of the WFH policy for DKI Jakarta Provincial Government ASN, air quality in the capital city did not show significant improvement.

On Sunday (September 3, 2023), the average daily Air Quality Index United States (AQI US) score in Jakarta still reached 151 points, categorized as unhealthy air.

Here's the air quality classification based on the AQI US score:

* 0-50: Good
* 51-100: Moderate
* 101-150: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
* 151-200: Unhealthy
* 201-300: Very unhealthy
* >300: Hazardous

In the last two weeks, the worst air quality in Jakarta was recorded on Friday (September 1, 2023), with a daily index reaching 162 points.

Observing the trend from August 21 to September 3, 2023, Jakarta's daily air quality index mostly scored above 150, indicating unhealthy air.

Meanwhile, moderate air quality was only recorded three times during that period: on the first day of the WFH policy (Monday, August 21, 2023), Thursday (August 24, 2023), and Friday (August 25, 2023), as shown in the graph.

Consistent with this data, the Jakarta Environmental Agency (DLH DKI Jakarta) also assessed that the WFH policy for civil servants was not effective in reducing Jakarta's air pollution.

"Because the WFH is only 50% and only implemented by the DKI Provincial Government ASN and hasn't reached the ASN of ministries and institutions, the impact is considered less rapid and insignificant," said the Head of DLH DKI Jakarta, Asep Kuswanto, as reported by Kompas.tv on Wednesday (August 30, 2023).

He hopes that the WFH policy can be implemented by all government agencies and the private sector.

(Read also: Air Pollution Engulfs Jakarta and its Surroundings, How Many Vehicles Are There?)