Law and Human Rights Ministry Implements WFH; Affirms Health as a Human Right

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Director General of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Dhahana Putra believed that health is an integral part of human rights. The right to health is provided under International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

According to Dhahana, as the state party to ICESCR, the government of Indonesia is obliged to fulfill the citizens' right to health in accordance with Article 12 of ICESCR. One of the components to the right to health is the improvement of environmental and industrial hygiene.

"However, it should be highlighted that the fulfillment of the right to health is implementing the concept of progressive realization, in which the realization of rights requires time and resources," said Dhahana in his statement as quoted by Antara last Saturday, August 18, 2023.

Dhahana is well aware of the complexity of air pollution in Jakarta, which prompted President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to mandate pollution management divided into short-term, mid-term, and long-term solutions. "The solution offered by the President signified that the air pollution management in Jakarta requires a mutual commitment from the government and business actors as well as the public," he said.

One of the commitments manifested is the instruction to work from home (WFH) to mitigate the effects of the deteriorating air quality in Jakarta. According to Dhahana, the measure will reduce carbon emissions while simultaneously protecting the right to health of employees.

"The Directorate General of human rights is preparing several measures to transform office activities to be more environmentally friendly. During the internal meeting, we open a discussion on the social panel scheme to support the electricity in the office, and transitioning work vehicles to be fully electric or hybrid," said Dhahana.

Dhahana believed that the green initiative to reduce carbon emissions is needed as the answer to Jakarta's pollution issue. The measures are intended to protect public health and the future generation from air pollution as emphasized by ICESCR.

Previously, Acting Governor of Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono revealed that the Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has instructed all ministries to implement WFH. The same measure is also taken by the provincial government of Jakarta for its civil servants. 

In addition, Luhut also mentioned that the government is focusing the emission control in three sectors, namely transportation, industry and power plants, and the environment. "We will move from upstream to downstream," said Luhut.

KUKUH S. WIBOWO

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