Government cuts allowances for its researchers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government has decided to cut the allowances
\nit pays researchers at ministries and state-run research
\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI),
\nSoefjan Tsauri, announced yesterday that researchers have been
\nasked to decide if they wanted an allowance in line with their
\nposition or in line with their function.<\/p>\n
They must therefore choose to be paid as either government
\nofficials or as researchers, but not both.<\/p>\n
Soefjan said the ruling is retroactive to January, and
\ninstitute researchers will have to refund the allowance included
\nin last month's pay.<\/p>\n
He said the institution found the decision harsh and feared
\nthat it could affect the work of his staff.<\/p>\n
He did not elaborate.<\/p>\n
The low pay offered by the government to researchers has made
\nit difficult for the institution and other state research
\nagencies to entice the brightest graduates to work there. Some
\nresearch agencies have complained about the brain-drain to the
\nprivate sector.<\/p>\n
\"LIPI has already asked the government to reconsider its
\ndecision,\" Soefjan said.<\/p>\n
He said he did not know the reason behind the ruling.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe the government is cutting back on expenses,\" he
\noffered.<\/p>\n
The decision affects the employees' take home pay but not
\ntheir careers as researchers or government officials.<\/p>\n
\"They can still be promoted in both fields,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Soefjan said the institute is having problems getting its
\nstaff to refund last month's allowances, especially with Idul
\nFitri coming up. Most private sector workers, in contrast, are
\ngetting their 13th month salary.<\/p>\n
\"It doesn't seem fair that other people are getting extra
\nincome while our staff is cutting theirs,\" Soefjan said.<\/p>\n
The institute's former deputy chairman, Aprilani Soegiarto,
\nsaid the allowances meant a lot to the researchers, given their
\nlow pay as civil servants.<\/p>\n
Institute researchers received monthly functional allowances
\nof between Rp 100,000 and Rp 860,000 and structural allowances of
\nup to Rp 500,000. There are 4,500 researchers working for the
\ngovernment, including 759 at the institute. (31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-cuts-allowances-for-its-researchers-1447893297",
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