"Generally, we agree on this plan for the sake of our people. Let them celebrate the holidays in their hometown," Umar remarked on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Purwagandhi suggested implementing the WFA plan on March 24-27, 2025, to alleviate congestion during homecoming periods and offer more options or dates for homecomers to travel before Eid.
This year's Nyepi Day falls on March 29, preceded by a joint leave for Nyepi Day on March 28. Eid-al Fitr is predicted to fall on March 31.
Given these back-to-back holidays, Purwagandhi assessed that the WFA policy could help reduce the surge in homecoming traffic.
He indicated that WFA could leverage flexible work arrangements already adopted by several agencies.
"If I am not mistaken, the Ministry of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform has implemented WFA for up to 60 percent (of its workforce). With more sophisticated technology, WFA can be applied in the bureaucracy and education sectors, although some industries cannot implement it," he remarked.
As a follow-up step, his side would conduct a survey to identify which sectors can implement WFA.
"We will coordinate with related institutions to help this policy run optimally while supporting the homecoming season," he remarked.
According to the minister, this policy will allow the public to enjoy longer holidays while reducing the burden of transportation during the peak of homecoming.
In response, Umar elaborated on the theological significance of homecoming.
He affirmed that homecoming transcends merely being an Eid tradition.
"We can meet our parents or visit their graves back home at any time. However, visiting our hometown remains important to refresh our spirits and maintain family relations," he noted.
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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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