13 March, 2019
What can employers do with regard to background checks and inquiries in relation to the following:
Criminal Records
Employers may require prospective or existing employees to obtain a statement of good behavior (surat keterangan catatan kepolisian or SKCKS) from the local district office of the Indonesian National Police.
An SKCK is a letter issued by, or on behalf of, the chief of police in the district in which an individual is domiciled confirming that the individual named in the letter is of good behavior and not presently involved in any criminal investigation or proceedings. This statement is based on the information provided by the head of the village or sub-regency where the individual lives, and a review of the local criminal record. An SKCK does not indicate whether an individual has a criminal record, but rather confirms that the individual is not currently involved in criminal proceedings within that specific district only. Centralized/national criminal records are not available.
Medical History
An employer can require a potential employee to undergo a physical examination as a condition of employment. It is important that all potential employees be subject to the same conditions. The potential employee should give his or her written consent to both the examination and the release of the results to the employer.
The employer can also require that prior medical records be made available to the employer, on a non-discretionary basis and with the potential employee's written consent.
Drug Screening
The test can be carried out, but only in limited circumstances – for instance, where working under the influence of drugs or alcohol could give rise to health and safety considerations (e.g., where employees drive or operate machinery) or serious damage to the employer's business. The applicant would need to consent to the test. Drug and alcohol testing should be carried out during employment only if justified, necessary and proportionate, and with the consent of the employee.
Credit Checks
Information of this kind is seldom used in the recruitment process in Indonesia. However, the central bank, Bank Indonesia, produces comprehensive individual credit history reports, which are issued only upon the request of both financial institutions and the individual that the information concerns, as this information is considered confidential.
Immigration Status
A local employer in Indonesia that wants to employ a foreign national must arrange for a work permit for the foreign national. “Work permit” in this context involves an array of registrations and approvals. Foreign nationals may come into Indonesia under business visas to do business-related activities on behalf of their overseas employer, such as participating in meetings, and for investment purposes.
Social Media
There is no prohibition on verifying information provided on public websites, such as news sources, Google searches or social network site searches. The only information that can be collected and retained by employers is information that can be accessed or obtained publicly, not private information.
Other
Employers in Indonesia frequently carry out background checks on applicants. Indonesian employment laws do not expressly regulate background checks. Certain background checks are in practice subject to the consent of the applicant.
Fahrul S. Yusuf, Partner, Soewito Suhardiman Eddymurthy Kardono
fahrulyusuf@ssek.com
