Jakarta (ANTARA) - Piter Abdullah, an observer from the Prasasti\nCenter for Policy Studies, believes that digital platform or gig workers\nneed their own specific protection regulations without being categorised\nunder the Draft Labour Protection Bill.<\/p>\n
During a discussion in Jakarta on Friday, Piter stated that gig\nworkers differ from employees who have a formal employment relationship.\nGig workers are essentially independent workers who utilise labour,\ntime, expertise, or capital to produce works or services based on\norders.<\/p>\n
Gig workers include platform workers such as freelancers, online\nmotorcycle taxi drivers, logistics couriers, service providers on\ndigital platforms, and content creators. Piter distinguishes independent\nworkers from employees who work based on a relationship with an\nemployer.<\/p>\n
In the case of independent workers, the relationship with the party\nusing their services is based on orders, whether written or verbal. In\nthe context of platform-based workers, he assessed that platforms cannot\nbe directly positioned as employers because their function is to help\nconnect workers with service requesters or buyers.<\/p>\n
Piter believes that social protection, safety, transparency, and\ndispute resolution mechanisms still need to be strengthened. However,\nsuch protection should not be translated through a change in status to\nformal employees or the application of rights and obligations that\nsubstantially resemble a formal employment relationship.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ultimate goal remains protection. However, the design of that\nprotection must follow the character of the work,\u201d he said. According to\nhim, gig workers choose an independent work pattern with the consequence\nof having the flexibility to determine their own working hours.\nTherefore, the form of welfare and protection provided to gig workers\nneeds to be adjusted to these characteristics.<\/p>\n
He assessed that equating gig workers with employees could instead\ncreate new problems, including reduced public access to platform-based\nwork. He supports the government in drafting labour protection\nregulations, but believes gig workers need to be regulated under\nseparate regulations so that the provisions align with the relationship\nbetween the worker, the platform, and the requester.<\/p>\n
Piter emphasised that protection is necessary for all\u2014whether for\nemployees, independent workers, or entrepreneurs\u2014but the form of\nprotection cannot be standardised.<\/p>\n
At the same event, online motorcycle taxi driver Firmansyah stated\nthat he supports the status of online drivers as partners rather than\nemployees. According to him, flexibility and the ease of joining are the\nreasons many people choose digital platforms as a source of income.<\/p>\n
His concerns, he continued, are not only about changing the\npartnership status to a formal employment relationship. According to\nFirmansyah, similar issues could arise if the partner status is\nmaintained, but the rights, obligations, and management mechanisms are\nmade to resemble those of permanent employees. Such conditions are seen\nas potentially narrowing public access to becoming partners.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf working hours are regulated, orders are limited, or the number of\ndrivers is reduced, the question is simple: those who cannot join, where\nwill they find income?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives (DPR RI) is currently discussing the\nDraft Labour Protection Bill, which was approved as a DPR RI initiative\nproposal in the Plenary Session on 7 August 2026 and has entered the\n2025-2029 National Legislative Program (Prolegnas). The Bill includes a\nspecific chapter regarding digital platform workers. The Draft Labour\nProtection Bill is targeted to be passed into law by October 2026.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/observer-digital-platform-workers-require-their-own-specific-protection-regulations-1790945990", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }