More Than 4 Thousand Village Midwives Soon Become Civil Servant Candidates

Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko takes picture with the 30 representatives of village midwives at Bina Graha, last week (Photo by: PR Divison of Office of Presidential Staff)

Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said that the draft of Presidential Decree (Keppres) on appointment of temporary midwives as civil servant candidates (CPNS) is ready and has been finalized by Ministry of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reforms.

“The draft of Presidential Decree is on the process of synchronization under Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs. It has been approved”, explained Moeldoko during a meeting with 30 representatives from Federation of Indonesian Village Midwives Organization (Forbides) at Bina Graha Building, Office of Presidential Staff (KSP), last week.

On that occasion, the Chairperson of Forbides, Lilik Dian Eka Sari said that 4,153 village midwives with temporary worker (PTT) status have not been appointed as CPNS. They are excluded from 37 thousand village midwives appointed as CPNS due to administrative problems, particularly because their ages are more than 35 years old.

“We hope that they will get permanent status as soon as possible, and spare illegal charges for contract extension.” Lilik said.

In response to that statement, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said that the Government has great respect for village midwives since this profession helps many people.

Moeldoko, who was accompanied by Deputy II of Presidential Chief of Staff Yanuar Nugroho, Deputy IV of Presidential Chief of Staff Eko Sulistyo and Special Staff to Head of the Presidential Secretariat Eddy Soepadmo, explained that midwife is a profession which saves human lives. 

“Geneva 1949 Convention regarding protection for civilians in war zones has specifically stipulated protection for health workers. Any violation of the convention means serious violation of human rights,” Moeldoko said, adding that the Government seriously pays attention to the aspiration and has great respect for village midwives. “The midwives do their duties in border regions and rural areas, for the sake of humanity.” He said.

Regarding the matter of 4,153 village midwives with PTT status who have not been appointed as CPNS, Moeldoko said that the draft of Presidential Decree on appointment of village midwives has been finalized by Ministry of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reforms.

“The draft is ready. We are doing our best here,” Moeldoko said, to applause from the village midwives.

According to him, the draft of Presidential Decree is on the process of synchronization under Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs. “It has been approved,” said Moeldoko, adding that the Office of Presidential Staff has the responsibility to urge related ministers to realize the Decree. (Humas KSP/ES) (RI/MMB/Naster)