MPR: Approval of Domestic Workers Protection Bill is a Concrete Step Towards Domestic Worker Emancipation
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) of the Republic of Indonesia, Lestari Moerdijat, stated that the House of Representatives’ (DPR) decision to approve the Domestic Workers Protection Bill (RUU PPRT) for enactment into law represents a concrete step towards realising the emancipation of domestic workers.
Coinciding with Kartini Day, Lestari reminded that the values of Raden Ajeng Kartini’s struggle for women’s emancipation continue to live on to this day.
“Emancipation without legal protection is merely rhetoric. The birth of the Domestic Workers Protection Act today is hoped to break the chain of exploitation in the domestic sphere experienced by domestic workers,” said Mbak Rerie, her familiar nickname, in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday.
According to her, the approval of the RUU PPRT is a moment of affirmation that the state is now present for marginalised groups who have lived for decades without guarantees.
The RUU PPRT is known to have been submitted and discussed by the DPR since 22 years ago.
Rerie also highlighted that the Ministry of Manpower recorded in 2025 that there are more than 4 million domestic workers in Indonesia, with the majority dominated by women.
Ironically, said Rerie, they have not been specifically protected under labour law to date.
“Wages are often unclear, there is no health guarantee, and they are vulnerable to various forms of violence,” she said.
Nevertheless, she reminded that concrete follow-up steps must be taken immediately, one of which is massive socialisation to all regencies/cities in Indonesia so that the public understands the content of the law in full.
In addition, it is also important to expedite the establishment of quick and easily accessible complaint mechanisms as well as appropriate sanction enforcement mechanisms for violators of the law.
Rerie also emphasised that the mandate of the RUU PPRT must be guarded together until protection for domestic workers is truly realised in practice on the ground.
“If Kartini in one of her letter quotes said ‘habis gelap terbitlah terang’ (after darkness comes light), the Domestic Workers Protection Act is the light for domestic workers whose flame we must strive to maintain and protect together,” said Lestari.
The 17th Plenary Session of the DPR RI for the IV Session Period of 2025–2026 on Tuesday approved the RUU PPRT to be enacted into law.
“Can the Domestic Workers Protection Bill be approved for enactment into law?” said DPR RI Speaker Puan Maharani, which was answered “agreed” by the session participants.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the DPR RI Legislation Body Bob Hasan said that the approval of the RUU PPRT today is the “most beautiful gift” for Kartini Day.
“May the RUU PPRT keep the flame of Kartini’s empowerment as a lamp of protection for all domestic workers. Habis gelap terbitlah terang,” said Bob in his report.