JAKARTA \u2014 The chair of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI),\nMuhammad Isnur, has proposed that the Draft Law on Protection of\nDomestic Workers (RUU PPRT) include a \u2018panic button\u2019 mechanism for\ndomestic workers (PRT).<\/p>\n
According to Isnur, such a feature is important to provide rapid\nprotection for domestic workers when facing emergency situations, such\nas violence or sexual violence at a private workplace.<\/p>\n
\u2018So we need to develop a mechanism similar to what exists in some\ncountries, where once you are recognised as a PPRT, you have a panic\nbutton,\u2019 Isnur said during a public hearing (RDPU) on the RUU PPRT at\nthe Legislative Body (Baleg) of the Indonesian House of Representatives\n(DPR) on Thursday (5 March 2026).<\/p>\n
He explained that such protection is needed because the PRT\u2019s place\nof work is the employer\u2019s home, often regarded as a private space making\nit difficult for outsiders to access.<\/p>\n
According to Isnur, the conditions often make it difficult for\nauthorities to enter when there are allegations of violence against PRT,\nespecially if the employer has power or influence.<\/p>\n
\u2018Because this is a closed space, a space that many people consider\nprivate, why would you come into my space,\u2019 Isnur said.<\/p>\n
Isnur added that the panic button mechanism could, in the future, be\nlinked to complaint and inspection systems as regulated in various\ninternational labour standards.<\/p>\n
\u2018This should be connected to the mechanism we must create in the\ncontext of ILO conventions, complaints and inspections,\u2019 Isnur said.<\/p>\n
\u2018This needs to be developed further; I envisage there being a panic\nbutton, connected to the site,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n
For information, the PPRT Bill has been submitted since 2004 and is\nregarded as urgent as a legal umbrella to protect workers in the\ndomestic sector.<\/p>\n
PRT\u2019s work area being in private spaces makes government supervision\nlimited, increasing vulnerabilities to discrimination, exploitation, and\nviolence.<\/p>\n
Since 2004, the PPRT Bill has always appeared in the national\nlegislative programme (Prolegnas) in every DPR session, but has not yet\nbeen enacted by the end of the current DPR term (2019-2024).<\/p>\n
President Prabowo Subianto previously stated his commitment to\npushing the law\u2019s passage.<\/p>\n
Most recently, Deputy Speaker of the DPR Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said the\nDPR would continue the RDPU or public hearings related to the PPRT\nBill.<\/p>\n
\u2018Yes, as of five days ago we will start public hearings for PPRT, and\nafter Eid we will also include the Labour Law (Undang-Undang\nKetenagakerjaan) in these hearings because this also involves sensitive\nissues and must be agreed upon by all parties, so we will hold these\nregularly,\u2019 Dasco said at the DPR building, Tuesday (3 March 2026).<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ylbhi-proposes-pprt-bill-to-include-a-panic-button-provision-for-domestic-workers-1772697667", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }