"I consider all their aspirations. West Java's solution is to form a task force. This task force was formed in a transparent manner (and involves) their representatives and a team from West Java to seek solutions," West Java Governor M. Ridwan Kamil stated after receiving the representatives of nonformal teachers and medical staff at Gedung Sate Building in Bandung on Tuesday.
Governor Kamil emphasized that his side would fight for the demands made by medical workers and teachers if they fell under the scope and authority of the regional, provincial, or central governments.
"If it (turns out to be) the central government's authority, we will fight to (bring it up) to the central government. If it is the provincial government's authority, we will find a solution at the provincial government (scope). If it is the authority of the head of districts or mayors, we will make circulars, and so on," he expounded.
Kamil emphasized that the role of medical staff, with nonformal status, was important, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which their presence was direly needed.
"However, often, in the place where they work, there needs to be an increase in income of their work unit. I accept the aspiration and provide a solution. We will (conduct) the meeting, as our budget has improved,” he remarked.
On Friday, August 5, nonformal medical staffs held a demonstration in front of Gedung Sate in Bandung.
They demanded that nonformal medical staffs in West Java Province's medical facilities be hired as government employees with a work agreement.
The West Java Nonformal Staff of Medical Facilities Communication Forum (FKHF) expressed relief that the demand was accepted by Governor Kamil today.
"Thank God, we were well-received. The governor will form a special team. It is hoped that a solution regarding what we demand would soon be found," Deputy Chair of the West Java FKHF, Saeful Anwar, stated at Gedung Sate in Bandung.
Anwar said that the admission as government employees with work agreement aimed to provide an affirmation or clarification, given that they had been serving for a long time, spanning even decades.
Even if a written test is conducted for the admission, then the standard must be lowered. These demands were the impact of Government Regulation Number 49 of 2018 to remove nonformal workers, he stated.
"Of course, everyone knows about Government Regulation No. 49 of 2018, all of our medical facilities in the West Java region belonging to the government, both provincial and district cities, feel threatened by Government Regulation Number 49 of 2018," he stated.
He said most government-owned health centers and hospitals throughout West Java had the regional general services agency status, so their financial management was adjusted to the provisions.
"Hence, with this government regulation, there should be no more non-state civil apparatuses in government institutions. However, the reality is that regional governments cannot accommodate us because of limited funds," he noted.
He further said that with the regulation, the central government assigned all tasks to the regions, while about 70-75 percent of health workers, who work in government-owned medical facilities, were nonformal workers.
"We hope that the central government would review this government regulation. If this regulation really comes into effect, we (deem) that the government is not ready," he concluded.
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Translator: Ajat Sudrajat, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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