Derivative Regulations for the Domestic Workers Protection Act Must Regulate Employment Agreements, Wages, and Leave

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR RI) has officially enacted the Domestic Workers Protection Bill (RUU PPRT) into law during a plenary session at the parliamentary complex in Senayan on Tuesday (21/4/2026). This ratification brings a breath of fresh air to domestic workers (PRT) who have laboured under uncertainty for years. At the very least, this highest-level regulation now recognises their work and governs their rights. Although the law has been promulgated, the National Network for Domestic Workers Advocacy (JALA PRT), which helped push for the legislation, views it as still imperfect. There are several notes that continue to be advocated for to ensure a decent life for domestic workers (ART). However, she expressed gratitude that the law could be enacted after being stalled for around 22 years since it was first proposed by JALA PRT in 2004. “Of course, this is what has been awaited after 20 years of struggle to change perspectives, paradigms, and resistance from legislators in both the DPR and the government, to accept a new construction of the relationship between PRT and employers that is more humane and civil,” said JALA PRT Coordinator Lita Anggraini when contacted by Kompas.com on Wednesday (22/4/2026). “The hope is that after the birth of this legal certainty, it can gradually erode that, changing society’s views, perspectives, and attitudes towards PRT. And that certainly requires time,” she explained. She did not deny that the newly enacted PPRT Law does not clearly regulate various rights—most are based on employment agreements and consensus. “Well, that is not mentioned in the Law. But it needs to be underlined that boundaries are necessary,” Lita explained. In the future, according to Lita, employment agreements must include the rights and obligations accepted by PRT. “Including wages, working periods, clear identities between both parties. Yes, and a description of the work. Then protection for both parties, both PRT and employers, but of course, PRT as a vulnerable group, how to obtain protection for their rights,” she said. Lita emphasised that rights needing clearer regulation in the Government Regulation (PP) include wage arrangements, humane working hours, daily rest, days off, annual leave, healthy accommodation, and space for worship. This is because domestic workers have often received arbitrary treatment. She frequently encounters domestic workers who only sleep in storage rooms or occupy unlocked rooms.