Jakarta, May 20 -- The Indonesian government officially barred employers from holding employees' personal documents, as stated in a circular letter issued by Manpower Minister Yassierli on Tuesday.

Yassierli explained that the circular was issued in response to rising public concern over the long-standing and widespread practice of employers requesting and retaining employees' personal documents-most commonly diplomas-to prevent them from leaving their jobs.

"Due to the asymmetric power favoring employers, workers tend to find it difficult to retrieve their withheld diplomas. This practice limits employees' ability to pursue better opportunities and places them under pressure, ultimately dampening their productivity," he remarked in Jak...