Thousands of vacancies open up for civil servant posts
Thousands of vacancies open up for civil servant posts
John Afrizal and Dwianto Iman Nugroho, The Jakarta Post/Jambi/Surabaya
Imron looked worried while queuing at a counter at Jambi post
office, his right hand holding a brown envelope filled with
various documents for a job application as a civil servant.
Although the closing date is Nov. 6, the economics graduate
from a state university in Jambi did not want to be late in
posting the application.
"I'm not too hopeful, but I will try," he told The Jakarta
Post.
It cost him Rp 50,000 for the application requirements. He had
to renew his identity card, obtain a Job Seeker (KTPK) card,
certification for his school certificate and four photographs.
Many applicants are pessimistic about getting a job as a civil
servant because it is now difficult due to stiff competition. The
last time the government opened such vacancies was in 2000.
According to data at Jambi Manpower Demography and Statistics
Office unemployment figures have continued to rise over the
years.
Throughout 2003 and 2004, at least 14,000 job seekers have
registered at the office. Some 2,367 have bachelor degrees and 22
have a master's degree. The rest are elementary school and
diploma graduates.
However, only 340 had found work; 59 elementary school
graduates, 74 junior high school students, 205 senior high school
students and 2 bachelor degrees graduates.
Meanwhile, spokesman for the Jambi administration, Haroen
Sa'ad, said that there were only 2,843 vacancies for civil
servants available at the moment.
"They will be employed to replace 476 officials who have
retired over the last three years," he said.
He added that the administration also needed 1,200 teachers,
559 health workers and 702 technical workers who had diplomas and
a bachelor's degree.
The number of vacancies available is much lower than job
applicants, which could hit tens of thousands, making it stiff
competition.
The stiff competition is evidence that the work is still
popular, especially in rural areas and outside Java island.
People still have high expectations of becoming a civil
servant, because a civil servant in a uniform is someone who
others look up to, a replacement for nobility, or like holding
the title of raden or kemas.
Becoming a civil servant also guarantees financial security
compared to the private sector. In people's mind, despite the low
income, civil servants are guaranteed by the state. Have you ever
heard of a state that went bankrupt?
But, the assumption has gone in big cities such as Surabaya.
They rarely apply for civil servant posts due to the low
income, and they pursue positions in prestigious companies, which
offer them a higher income.
Basri, a private employee in Surabaya, recalled that he
applied for a civil servant's position after he was dismissed
from a private company.
Nining, another Surabaya resident, said that she chose to
apply with the public service despite the low income. She said
that it would be better for her to work as a civil servant rather
than stay at home. "It can help our household financially," said
Nining whose husband is employed at a private company in
Surabaya.