Indonesia’s working hours remain capped at 40 hours per week following an official clarification by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto on Tuesday, October 7, 2026, countering an industry proposal to extend the weekly limit to 45 hours.
Aprisindo proposes 45 hour workweek to match Vietnam
The debate began when the Indonesian Footwear Association (Aprisindo) proposed increasing the standard workweek from 40 hours to 45 hours. Hariyanto, a representative for Aprisindo, stated on September 30 that domestic manufacturers were operating at a disadvantage compared to regional competitors, noting that Vietnam has a 48-hour workweek. “Right now we are losing in terms of working hours; one week is 48 hours in Vietnam, whereas we are 40 hours,” Hariyanto explained. That difference puts Indonesian producers at a 20 percent deficit in operating time, prompting the push for a 45-hour standard.
APINDO Chairperson Shinta W. Kamdani clarified on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, that the 45-hour figure was raised as part of a comparative regional study during ongoing deliberations over the Manpower Protection Bill (RUU Perlindungan Ketenagakerjaan) in the House of Representatives (DPR), rather than as a form of coercion to increase working hours unilaterally. Shinta noted that business groups evaluated neighboring economies—including Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam—to measure national industrial competitiveness. “I think there is a misunderstanding. At that time we were just comparing data from several Asian countries with Indonesia, so maybe there was a misunderstanding that we were forcing an increase,” Shinta said after the ISF Forum 2026 in Jakarta.
Airlangga Hartarto maintains 40 hour weekly limit
Addressing the business sector’s proposals, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto emphasized that the 40-hour limit remains the binding baseline established between the government, employers, and workers. “I think we have agreed on 40 hours (per week). If it’s 45 hours a week, well, follow the labor protection regulations,” Airlangga stated in Jakarta.
Under current Indonesian law, regulated by Law Number 11 of 2020 on Job Creation (UU Cipta Kerja), companies operate under two legal work schedules: seven hours per day across a six-day workweek totaling 40 hours, or eight hours per day across a five-day workweek totaling 40 hours. Minister of Manpower Yassierli noted that the legislation aims to balance enhanced worker protections, recruitment safeguards—such as bans on withholding personal documents—with the long-term operational continuity of enterprises.
What are the legal limits for working hours?
What is the current legal limit for working hours in Indonesia?
The established legal limit remains 40 hours per week, structured either as seven hours daily across a six-day workweek or eight hours daily across a five-day workweek under the Job Creation Law.
Who proposed increasing the weekly work hours?
The Indonesian Footwear Association (Aprisindo) floated the 45-hour proposal on September 30, citing regional competition with Vietnam’s 48-hour workweek.
How has the government responded to the 45-hour proposal?
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated on Tuesday, October 7, 2026, that the government stands by the agreed 40-hour limit and expects any adjustments to strictly follow established labor protection regulations.
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