International Womens Day: Momentum to Strengthen Commitment to Protect Domestic Workers

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister for Womens Empowerment and Child Protection, Arifah Fauzi, hopes International Womens Day commemorations will be an opportunity to strengthen collective commitment to protecting domestic workers (PRT). “The spirit of International Womens Day is also a chance for us to strengthen our shared commitment to creating a fairer and more inclusive society. Protection for domestic workers is not merely a matter of employment, but also involves respect for human rights, gender equality, and the building of families and communities that are more just,” said the PPPA Minister in Jakarta on Sunday. This statement was made in response to International Womens Day, observed every 8 March. She views protection for domestic workers as part of mainstreaming gender and protecting vulnerable groups, noting that the majority of domestic workers are women and many come from socio-economic groups with limited access to legal protection. Consequently, she states, the enactment of the Domestic Workers Protection Bill (RUU PPRT) is a crucial point to provide a strong legal umbrella, set decent working standards, and position domestic workers as formal workers recognised by the state. In addition to regulatory strengthening, the PPPA Minister underscored the importance of building access to complaint services, protection, and specialised support for domestic workers who have been victims of violence or exploitation. “We also urge that domestic workers be accommodated within the social security system, through both BPJS Kesehatan and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan. The regulation of work contracts that set working hours, fair wages, and leave rights should also form a primary instrument to prevent exploitation,” said Arifah Fauzi.