Parliament Approves Domestic Worker Protection and Copyright Bills as Parliamentary Initiative Proposals
The House of Representatives has approved draft legislation on Domestic Worker Protection (RUU PPRT) and Copyright as parliamentary initiative proposals. The approval was announced by House Speaker Puan Maharani.
Maharani stated that the House leadership approved the two bills after eight political party factions presented their respective positions. “Can these be approved as parliamentary initiative proposals?” Maharani asked participants at the 16th plenary session of the fourth parliamentary term in 2025-2026 on Thursday, 12 March 2026.
The session participants responded with approval.
On the previous day, House Vice Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad stated that House leadership had held a meeting with the House Legislative Body regarding the continuation of discussions on the two bills. Both bills would be discussed in leadership meetings and in consultation with the House Consultative Body.
“The PPRT and Copyright bills will be approved in plenary as parliamentary initiative proposals,” Dasco said at the House, People’s Consultative Assembly and Regional Representative Council complex on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
The PPRT bill had been proposed for House discussion since 2004. During the current parliamentary term of 2024-2029, the bill was included in the 2025 National Legislative Programme. However, its discussion has not reached a clear resolution.
At the 19th plenary session of the 2022-2023 parliamentary term, nine political party factions presented their positions and agreed on the PPRT bill as a parliamentary initiative proposal.
Previously, the National Network for Domestic Worker Advocacy (JALA PRT) questioned the House and government’s commitment to discussing and approving the PPRT bill. This came despite President Prabowo Subianto stating on 1 May 2025 that the bill would be completed within three months.
“What exactly has happened that it has not been approved for 22 years?” asked JALA PRT Coordinator Lita Anggraini during a hearing at the House on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
House Speaker Puan Maharani explained why the PPRT bill has not yet been completed and approved. She stated that the House is still seeking input from various parties to complete the bill’s content.
The reason, Maharani explained, is to ensure the PPRT bill does not overlap with provisions in other laws. “So that meaningful participation is not just from one side, but from everyone to make it more comprehensive,” said the PDIP politician on 10 March 2026.