Passage of Domestic Workers Protection Bill Proves State's Presence in Protecting Domestic Workers

Member of the House of Representatives’ Legislation Body (Baleg) DPR RI, Cindy Monica Salsabila Setiawan, emphasised that the passage of the Domestic Workers Protection Bill (RUU PPRT) represents a strategic step by the state to deliver social justice for domestic workers. This regulation is seen as a tangible manifestation of the state’s presence after more than two decades in which the domestic sector has existed in a legal grey area. She added that the RUU PPRT is not merely administrative but also serves as an indicator of the state’s commitment to upholding humanitarian values. “For 22 years, the absence of legal protection has left domestic workers vulnerable to practices of modern slavery, exploitation, and violence that are often invisible to the public,” said Cindy on Thursday, 23 April 2026. She explained that the nature of domestic work, which takes place in private spaces, results in minimal social and institutional oversight. This condition allows various violations of workers’ rights to go undetected and without adequate protection. Cindy views the RUU PPRT as part of the state’s efforts to humanise domestic workers. She stressed that this regulation poses a challenge to the nation’s commitment to implementing constitutional values, particularly regarding the protection of citizens’ rights. “The RUU PPRT is not just an administrative instrument but a manifestation of our commitment to humanising people and realising social justice,” she asserted. Furthermore, according to her, the passage of the RUU PPRT will strengthen the fulfilment of domestic workers’ constitutional rights, including the right to decent work and fair legal protection. Additionally, this regulation is expected to encourage a shift in societal perspectives towards the domestic workers’ profession. Cindy also highlighted the importance of using terminology that respects the dignity of domestic workers. In her view, the terms previously used tend to be derogatory and do not reflect their position as citizens with equal rights. Baleg, she continued, has consistently pushed for stronger protection of domestic workers through the fulfilment of basic rights, such as fair wages, humane working hours, and access to social security via BPJS Ketenagakerjaan and BPJS Kesehatan. She hopes that the RUU PPRT can break the chain of oppression in the domestic sector that has long been hidden, while introducing more just and civilised work standards. “The passage of the RUU PPRT is an inevitability. This is not merely a law but a tangible embodiment of the constitutional mandate that the state must protect all citizens without exception.”