Domestic Workers' Protection Act Passed, Unions Urge Government to Promptly Issue Implementing Regulations
The passage of the Domestic Workers’ Protection Act (UU PPRT) by the House of Representatives (DPR) has been met with relief by labour unions. However, the government is urged not to delay follow-up actions by issuing technical implementing regulations, so that domestic workers can soon feel the promised protection.
President of the Nusantara Confederation of Trade Unions, Mukhtar Guntur Kilat, stated that the approval of the UU PPRT, coinciding with Kartini Day ahead of May Day 2026, is a long-awaited progressive step.
The struggle of domestic workers to achieve this legislation has lasted 22 years. It even entered the national legislative programme in 2019 but was not approved for a long time.
However, Mukhtar emphasised that the passage of the act alone is not enough. Without government regulations and ministerial regulations as derivatives, the UU PPRT will only remain on paper.
“The PPRT Act must be promptly responded to by the government by issuing technical implementing regulations, government regulations or regulations at the ministerial level, so that this act can be immediately implemented and applied,” said Mukhtar when contacted on Wednesday (22/4).
Regarding supervision, Mukhtar acknowledged that the implementation of this act faces no small challenges. Domestic workers work in private spaces that are difficult to reach directly by supervisory authorities. However, he stressed that the government must be responsive to every report that comes in.
“Directly supervising private spaces is certainly quite challenging. But when reports come in regarding the implementation of the PPRT, the government must be responsive, must respond immediately, the response must be quick, so that the rights of workers in this act can be upheld,” he said.
Mukhtar also reminded that many domestic workers may not yet know about the existence of this act, let alone understand the rights guaranteed within it.
For this reason, he encouraged the government to actively involve domestic workers’ organisations and institutions that have been monitoring the legislative process in the socialisation programme.
“The government can involve them to achieve wide reach, so that awareness among domestic workers about the existence of the PPRT Act and their rights after this act is passed can be conveyed to them,” Mukhtar concluded.
Komnas Perempuan appreciates the long work of Domestic Workers (PRT), Civil Society Networks (JMS), academics, and women’s figures who have persistently pushed for efforts to protect PRT.
The Domestic Workers’ Protection Bill (RUU PPRT) has finally been passed into law as a lavish gift on this year’s Kartini Day.
Jala PRT welcomes the passage of the UU PPRT after 22 years of struggle. This regulation becomes a milestone for legal protection of domestic workers in Indonesia.
The Domestic Workers’ Protection Bill (RUU PPRT) was scheduled to be passed into law in the DPR’s plenary session.
Minister of Manpower Yassierli affirmed the government’s commitment to providing comprehensive protection for domestic workers through the RUU PPRT.
Rieke Diah Pitaloka urged the DPR to promptly pass the RUU PPRT. She highlighted the contribution of foreign exchange worth Rp 253 trillion and the need to recognise PRT as workers in accordance with ILO 189 standards.