Job Discussion Forums

[Zoe Schoon]

I'm currently working in Jakarta and recently had my wallet stolen on an ankot (beware of anybody throwing coins on the floor and seemingly fishing around for them under your seat, whilst the person next to you leans against you really hard to "give them space" to look for their money.

My wallet contained my KITAS which I was told I must carry around at all times to keep the police at bay.

My charming employer (EF Central Jakarta for those interested) is charging me Rph. 4,000,000 (�300 approx) for a new one.

Moral of the story: do NOT carry your KITAS - carry a photocopy. Also, think twice about working for EF Central Jakarta!

[Durian Tango]

Zoe,

So you had your wallet stolen and you are upset that your employer is making you pay to replace the KITAS inside? If you had your passport stolen, should they pay for that too? What if EF paid for your KITAS to be replaced and you had it stolen again, should they pay a second time? A third time?

I'm sorry you had your wallet stolen, I really am, but we are all adults here and we have to take some personal responsibility for ourselves. You fell for a pick pocketing trick that I have experienced as well (in Russia) and it's an expensive lesson in life - but I promise you it won't be one you fall for again!

The only thing I would hold your employer responsible for is not telling you that you don't have to carry the original around with you, just like you don't carry your passport with you everywhere, right? Instead, having a photocopy of both will generally suffice on a day-to-day basis.

I know you're upset right now, but I'm pretty sure that no school would be buying you a new KITAS at this moment, EF or otherwise.

[Madame J]

My old school, EF Surabaya, did. Which was fair enough, as I'd never been informed that a photocopy would suffice.

[Gajah Oling]

My KITAS was kept in my school's safe the entire time I was under contract, and all I ever had was a photo copy. Go figure.

[Durian Tango]

Hi Madame J,

I stand corrected as your school did replace it.

It's true that schools should inform their teachers of what to do with their documents and whether they should carry them on their body or a photocopy would suffice. I think the general understanding is that a photocopy will suffice.

I still think it's a bit harsh that Zoe suggest potential teachers think twice about working at EF Central Jakarta because of this though. It's hardly a reason to not join a school (I don't work for them by the way, it's just my take on things).

Actually, from my experience, you are more likely to have to replace your documents, not after being stolen, but after getting them soaking wet after being caught in a rainstorm, or having the documents in amongst wet clothes when travelling. If the documents become unreadable or ruined this way, they still have to be replaced.

[chezal]

I've never carried the original one around. I've always just had a photocopy of KITAS and my passport. I used my common sense. I would never take my passport everywhere so the same holds true for the KITAS. Also I'm prone to misplacing things

My current school (an International in Jakarta) specifically told us to carry only a photocopy. They also said that if it were to be lost I would be required to pay for the replacement. In all honesty I think that is fair as it would be my fault if it got lost just like if I lost my passport. You shouldn't blame it on the school.

[tanyakenapa]

I only ever carried around a laminated photo copy of my KITAS, however when I was still living in a boarding house - I happened to be caught up in a sweep for illegal workers or people overstaying permits.

I opened my door and was ordered to hand over my passport so he could take it to his supervisor downstairs. I said no way, I will come down with you myself, as I knew all the details were up to date etc.

Little did I know, they had TV camera's with them for the local 5pm news and I was on telly that night! However, the supervisor just flicked thru it and checked my photocopied KITAS and said everything was OK. They got a few others, that had overstayed their visa's filipino's and malaysians, and all the boarding house owner had to do was front up to a court hearing and pay a 20,000 fine for each person.

[Zoe Schoon]

Hello all!

Thanks for all your supportive(ish) messages!! Just to clarify, the school had told us to carry our original around with us at all times, which is why I felt so wronged. However, I agree, had the school specifically told us to carry a photocopy, of course, they shouldn't have to pay. Interestingly, since this incident, they have put notices all over the school saying don't carry your KITAS!

Also, PLEASE do not work or EF central Jakarta! There are all sorts of issues besides, and most of us are wishing our time away here.

If you fancy a laugh about teaching and living in Jakarta in general, I've got a blog at http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/mysticzed/3/tpod.html.

Glad to hear most people DON'T carry their KITAS around with them

Enjoy Indonesia!!!

[mr fred]

A KITAS COSTS Rp700,000.
Naughty school.

I keep things I must carry in a hidden wallet inside my trousers, small money in my pocket.
You don't have to carry your KITAS but you must carry your police SKLD.