Lestari Moerdijat: Domestic Workers Protection Law Essential for Job Security and Worker Protection
After a struggle spanning more than two decades, the proposed Domestic Workers Protection Law (RUU PPRT) has been formally established as a DPR legislative initiative in the Plenary Session of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) on 12 March 2026.
This establishment represents an important step in providing legal certainty and protection for domestic workers in Indonesia.
Deputy Chairperson of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Lestari Moerdijat stated that this regulation is vital to close the legal protection gap that domestic workers have experienced thus far.
“After more than two decades of struggle, the establishment of the RUU PPRT as a DPR legislative initiative represents an important moment to provide stronger protection for domestic workers in Indonesia,” said Lestari, whilst attending as a member of the DPR RI at the 16th Plenary Session of the DPR RI, Fourth Session of the 2025-2026 Parliamentary Term, at the MPR RI/DPR RI/DPD RI Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday (12/3).
Previously, the Plenary Meeting of the DPR RI Legislative Body on 11 March 2026 agreed to bring the proposed law to the Plenary Session.
According to Rerie, the affectionate nickname for Lestari, the existence of the Domestic Workers Protection Law will provide a clearer legal framework for employment relationships between domestic workers and employers, which have largely operated informally without clear standards until now.
“The Domestic Workers Protection Law is important to ensure legal certainty in employment relationships, protection from violence and exploitation, and recognition of domestic work as dignified work,” Rerie asserted.
She assessed that domestic workers have previously been in a vulnerable situation due to the absence of comprehensive regulations concerning rights, obligations, and legal protection mechanisms.
“This proposed law is not merely about worker protection, but also provides legal certainty for all parties involved in domestic employment relationships,” added Rerie, who is also a member of Commission X of the DPR RI.
Although now a DPR legislative initiative, Rerie emphasised that the legislative process must still go through several stages before it can be enacted into law.
These stages, she clarified, include issuance of a Presidential Letter (Surpres) to commence discussion with the government, submission of a Problem Inventory List (DIM) from the government, First-Level Discussion between the DPR and the government, and Second-Level Discussion at the DPR RI Plenary Session for ratification.
Therefore, Rerie invited all stakeholders to continue monitoring the discussion process of the Domestic Workers Protection Law so that the expected protection provisions are truly realised in strong and implementable regulations.
The senior member of the NasDem Party’s High Council also expressed appreciation to various parties that have consistently advocated for this regulation, including civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), domestic worker communities, observers, academics, and various societal elements that have continuously voiced support for and monitored this proposed law.
“This long struggle is collective work. For more than two decades, various parties have continued to push for domestic workers to receive adequate protection. Appreciation to all elements that have consistently monitored this process,” she stated.
Rerie hoped that discussion of the Domestic Workers Protection Law can proceed constructively, thereby producing legislation capable of strengthening domestic worker protection whilst creating fair and dignified employment relationships.
“Let us continue to monitor together until the Domestic Workers Protection Law is truly enacted into law,” she concluded.