Welcoming The Guidance Of Honorary Health Workers, Ridwan Kamil Forms A Task Force To Accommodate Aspirations

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil. (doc of West Java Provincial Government)

JABAR - The Provincial Government (Pemprov) of West Java (Jabar) formed a task force (satgas) to find solutions to the demands of honorary employees of health workers (nakes) and non-health workers in the area.

This was stated by the Governor of West Java M Ridwan Kamil after receiving representatives of honorary teachers and health workers at Gedung Sate Bandung, Tuesday, August 9.

"I accept all their aspirations, West Java's solution is to form a task force. This task force was formed between their representatives and a team from West Java transparently to find solutions," he said.

Ridwan Kamil said that if the demands submitted to honorary employees of health workers and teachers were under the authority of the regional government, then his party would fight for it, even if the authority was in the central government.

"In terms of the central authority, we will fight together at the center, if it is the province's authority, we will find a solution in the province, if it is the authority of the regent or mayor, we will make circulars and so on," he said.

Ridwan Kamil said that the role of health workers with honorary status was very important, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where their presence was needed.

"But often the place where they work needs to be increased for the income of their work unit. I accept the aspiration and provide a solution. We will reduce the meeting. As our budget has improved," he said.

Previously, on Friday, August 5, honorary employees of health workers held a demonstration in front of Gedung Sate Bandung.

They demanded that health workers with honorary status and in West Java Province health service facilities be appointed as government employees with a work agreement (P3K).

The West Java Health Facilities (FKHF) Honorary Communication Forum said that they were relieved to be accepted by the Governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil, today.

"Thank God we were well received. The Governor will form a special team. It is hoped that there will be a solution regarding what we demand," said Deputy Chair of the West Java FKHF, Saeful Anwar at Gedung Sate Bandung.

Saeful said in the appointment of first aid they asked to be given an affirmation and considering that they have been serving for a long time, dozens to decades.

Even if there is a written test in the appointment of first aid kits, said Saeful, then the standard is lowered and this demand is the impact of PP No. 49 of 2018 which will eliminate honorary workers.

"Of course, everyone knows about the PP 49 of 2018, all of us health service facilities in the West Java region belonging to the government, both provincial and district cities, feel threatened by the 2018 PP 49," he said.

He said the majority of government-owned health centers and hospitals throughout West Java had BLUD status so that their financial management was adjusted to BLUD.

"So with this PP, there should be no more non-ASN in government institutions. However, the reality is that local governments cannot accommodate us, because of limited funds," said Saeful.

He further said that with the PP, the central government delegated everything to the regions, while about 70 percent to 75 percent of health workers who work in government-owned health care facilities are honorary.

"We hope that the central government will review this PP. If this PP really comes into effect, we see that the government is not ready," he said.