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.