Jakarta. Pramono Anung announced on Sunday that he plans to introduce a flexible work environment for Jakarta government employees if elected governor in the upcoming election.

His proposal includes allowing employees to work in the office just two days a week, particularly for younger employees whose creativity and productivity, he believes, shouldn’t be confined to a traditional workspace.

Pramono’s comments were made during a gubernatorial debate with rivals Ridwan Kamil and Dharma Pongrekun.

“I gained valuable experience as head of the cabinet secretariat, where I permitted employees to work wherever they felt most comfortable. As a result, productivity levels were highly satisfying,” Pramono said.

“If I’m elected governor, I’ll implement a similar policy: two days in the office and three days working from home,” he added.

Pramono resigned as cabinet secretary under President Joko Widodo last month to focus on his gubernatorial campaign.

Although trailing former West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil by double digits in several surveys, Pramono’s electability has risen significantly since his candidacy was confirmed in September.

During the debate, Pramono also pledged to ensure that all workers in Jakarta, including those in the informal sector, receive the provincial minimum wage.

He acknowledged that unemployment remains a pressing issue in Jakarta, where approximately 354,000 employable residents are jobless.

"In 2024 alone, 53,000 workers were laid off," Pramono said.

To address unemployment, he plans to ease job requirements for certain roles that don’t require highly skilled workers, such as city sanitation positions. While these jobs currently require a high school diploma, Pramono said he would allow applicants with only an elementary school education.