45-Hour Work Week Under Scrutiny: The Origins Explained

Jakarta, VIVA – The issue regarding the plan to increase working hours to 45 hours per week has resurfaced following the House of Representatives’ (DPR RI) ratification of the Labour Protection Bill into law. The figure has raised questions as current regulations set a maximum of 40 hours per week.

The Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) has since clarified the origin of the 45-hour figure. Apindo emphasised that the number is not a proposed change to working hours being forced upon implementation in Indonesia.

Apindo General Chair, Shinta W. Kamdani, stated that the 45-hour figure emerged within the context of a comparative study regarding labour regulations in several Asian countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

“I believe there is a misunderability. At that time, we were merely comparing several Asian countries with Indonesia. Therefore, there may be a misunderstanding that we are forcing an increase in working hours; the context is not like that,” said Shinta.

According to Shinta, the comparative study was conducted to assess Indonesia’s position in regional competition, including from the perspective of labour regulation. This comparison is necessary so that stakeholders have an overview of the rules applicable in other countries.

“The context is not just Indonesia, but other countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. That is what we proposed in the comparative study. Labour unions are doing the same, so they also know what the conditions are like in other countries,” she continued.

This mapping, Shinta noted, serves as material when discussing and formulating labour regulations. By observing rules in other nations, stakeholders can understand the labour standards applicable within the region.

However, Shinta stated that Apindo cannot yet provide further comments regarding the new Labour Protection regulations. This is because, as of now, the association claims it has not yet received a copy or the official draft of the law ratified by the DPR.

The Labour Protection Bill was approved by the DPR to be enacted into law during the 9th Plenary Session of the DPR, First Session Period, 2026–2027, at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Tuesday. The ratification took place approximately three weeks before the deadline set by the Constitutional Court (MK).