Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jakarta – Indonesian professionals living overseas will soon be able to work in ministries and state institutions without having to apply as civil servants, a scheme that the government says will give them more flexibility while contributing in developing the country.
A government regulation (PP) is currently being drafted contract-based government employees (PPPK), stipulating that competent professionals, ranging from teachers and lecturers to doctors, are able to work for the government under contracts while receiving the same wages as that of civil servants.
"We want to provide opportunities for experienced professionals and [Indonesians] working overseas who want to contribute to the nation's development, within a specific period of time," Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Syafruddin said on Friday.
Under the PPPK system, Indonesian professionals can be employed under a minimum one-year contract that can be renewed until the retirement age set for that position. However, they must first pass an enrollment test as mandated by Law No. 5/2014 on state civil apparatus.
The government regulation is the mandate of a 2014 law that stipulates civil servants and contract-based government employees are considered state agents.
The Foreign Ministry estimated in 2013 that 4.6 million Indonesian citizens live overseas.
The final voter list (DPT) for the 2019 election released by the General Election Commission (KPU) on Sept. 16 shows that 2.04 million Indonesian voters live overseas.