State Strengthens Workers' Human Rights Protection through Domestic Workers Act

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The ratification of the Domestic Workers Protection Act (UU PPRT) by the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) is regarded as a strategic step by the state to strengthen human rights (HAM) protection. This is particularly for workers in the domestic sector who have been vulnerable to injustice. Special Staff to the Minister of Human Rights for HAM Fulfilment, Yosef Sampurna Nggarang, in his statement in Jakarta on Thursday, stated that the regulation marks a fundamental change in the status and protection of domestic workers in Indonesia. “With the recent ratification of the UU PPRT, workers who previously held informal status now become formal workers. Thus, the state as a human rights subject has created a law that is very pro-worker,” he said. He conveyed that the ratification of the Act is the result of a long struggle involving various parties for more than two decades. “This Act has been pushed and monitored for more than two decades. We all certainly appreciate and thank the DPR for ratifying this Act,” said Yosef. According to him, the presence of the UU PPRT reinforces the state’s role as the primary duty bearer in fulfilling human rights, by ensuring that domestic workers receive recognition of their work status as well as protection of basic rights. The regulation guarantees several important aspects, from certainty of employment relations, decent wages, humane working hours, to protection from violence, discrimination, and exploitation, as well as access to social security. In addition, the UU PPRT is also seen as reflecting the comprehensive application of human rights principles, not only in normative aspects but also in policy implementation that favours vulnerable groups. The government views this regulatory strengthening as part of ongoing efforts to promote fair, equal, and dignified employment relations in the domestic sector, while expanding the scope of national labour protection. Moving forward, the implementation of the UU PPRT becomes a joint focus between the government, employers, and society to ensure that protection runs effectively in the field. This step is expected to prevent practices of violence and exploitation as well as sustainably improve the welfare of domestic workers, in line with the national commitment to advancing human rights.