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.