INDONESIA
An Indonesian dentist living with a disability has been denied a position with a municipality despite being in good health and having passed the Public Service examination with the highest score.
Romi Syofpa Ismail (pictured) said the head of South Solok District, Muzni Zakaria wrote to her saying she had failed to meet the basic requirements of the 2018 examination.
“The first reason given was that I was physically unfit, but I checked my heart, lungs, eyes, teeth, blood and internal organs and there were no problems,” Ms Romi said.
She has been using a wheelchair since 2016, when she lost the use of her legs after giving birth to her second child.
“At the time, I was a registered temporary worker, working on a contract basis in South Solok’s Public Health Unit since 2015,” Ms Romi said.
“When my contract ended, I was encouraged apply for permanency because South Solok needed a dentist and it was suggested I could work from a wheelchair.”
After consulting the Legal Aid Institute she decided to sue the Local Authority, receiving support from the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), which considers her disqualification as discriminatory.
Spokeswoman for Women’s Empowerment at PSI, Imelda Berwanty Purba said the 2016 Law on Persons With Disabilities strictly forbade discrimination based on disability in employee selection.
Head of Personnel Planning and Development at South Solok’s Human Resource Agency, Admi Zulkhairi said it was simply following existing regulations.
“We knew Romi had a disability and were forced to disqualify her because she does not meet the requirements,” Mr Admi said.
“However, her case will be reviewed.”
Jakarta, 27 July, 2019
