Medical tests empty govt job seekers' wallets
Medical tests empty govt job seekers' wallets
Multa Fidrus, Tangerang
Hundreds of would-be civil servants in the Tangerang Regency have
complained about the expensive medical checkups required for the
application process.
The administration will consider civil servants for vacancies
from July 20 to July 22.
One applicant, who has been working under contract for the
administration for more than 10 years, said he had to spend Rp
161,000 (US$18) for the urine check and drug test at the
recommended Tangerang General Hospital.
"Last year, I only paid Rp 15,000 for a similar medical test
and I got a health certificate from the hospital," the man, who
requested anonymity, told The Jakarta Post after undergoing the
test at the hospital over the weekend.
The registration forms require applicants to undergo urine,
blood, general physical and mental health tests and a special
drug test.
"But the hospital health workers only tested my urine and
listened to my chest. And I had to pay Rp 161,000 for the
certificate. It's really burdensome," said Asmin, 23, another
would-be applicant.
Tangerang head of human resources Dedy Sutardi said the
requirement for applicants to submit a drug-free test certificate
was to wean out those would likely fail later drug tests in the
job.
"We realize job seekers have complained about the expensive
fees for the medical checkups at recommended hospitals but they
can also get similar tests at other hospitals or at the regency
health agency for a cheaper price," he said.
Dedy said the administration instituted the drug-free
requirement following a Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI)
Tangerang branch edict saying all regency apparatus must be
declared drug free.
In response to the complaints, Tangerang Hospital deputy
director Ayi Rafifah said the checkup fee was based on Bylaw No.
10/2004 on hospital service rates.
"The checkup price is high because the device used for the
drug test is also expensive," she said.
An applicant is declared drug-free if there is no trace of
amphetamine, cannabis, morphine or cocaine in their urine or
blood.