Indonesia finally passes domestic workers protection law after two decades of delay
After more than 20 years of debate, setbacks, and repeated delays, Indonesia has officially passed a long-awaited law aimed at protecting domestic workers — a move many are calling historic and long overdue.
The legislation, first proposed back in 2004, is designed to safeguard the rights of approximately 4.2 million domestic workers across the country. According to the Ministry of Manpower, nearly 90 percent of these workers are women — many of whom have spent years working without proper legal recognition or protection.
For decades, domestic workers were not formally classified as “workers” under the law. This left them operating in an informal, largely unregulated space where exploitation, abuse, and unfair treatment were common realities.
That changed on Tuesday when parliament finally approved the bill. The moment was met with applause and relief inside the chamber, as House Speaker Puan Maharani confirmed the law’s passage.
Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas emphasized that the new legislation is meant to bring clarity, fairness, and protection for both workers and employers — while putting a firm stop to discrimination, exploitation, and abuse.
Under the new law, domestic workers will gain access to key rights that were previously out of reach. These include vocational training, health benefits, and unemployment support — essential steps toward improving their quality of life and long-term security.
Importantly, the law also bans the employment of children under the age of 18 as domestic workers. This addresses a widespread issue in Indonesia, where many young individuals enter domestic work due to limited access to education, with fewer than one-third completing high school.
While the legislation marks a major milestone, some details are still to be finalized. A 12-month period has been set aside to develop supporting regulations, including defining penalties for violations and potentially addressing wage standards.
Advocacy groups have welcomed the move. Jala PRT, which has campaigned tirelessly for this law, described it as a “historic victory.” Coordinator Lita Anggraini highlighted that domestic workers — especially women — have long been overlooked, and this law finally acknowledges their value and rights.
However, she also stressed that passing the law is just the beginning. There is still a need for widespread awareness and education to ensure employers understand and respect their responsibilities.
The urgency of these protections is underscored by troubling statistics. Between 2021 and 2024, Jala PRT recorded over 3,300 cases of violence against domestic workers, including physical abuse, psychological harm, economic exploitation, and even human trafficking.
One particularly shocking case in 2023 involved multiple individuals in South Jakarta being sentenced for severely abusing a young domestic worker — a grim reminder of the risks many workers have faced without legal protection.
This new law represents more than just policy change — it is a step toward dignity, recognition, and justice for millions who have long worked behind closed doors, often unseen and unheard.
At its core, this is a human story — about resilience, patience, and the power of persistence. For countless domestic workers in Indonesia, this law is not just legislation; it is hope finally written into reality.