The Draft Law on the Protection of Domestic Workers Must be Ratified

Juneidi Coloay

Feminist Society – There must be protection for domestic workers through representative regulations by an enactment of the Protection Domestic Workers Bill. The protection and fulfillment of domestic worker’s rights are one of the issues related to gender equality and women’s rights activism that must be fought for.

Historical Background

The Draft Law on the Protection of Domestic Workers (Rancangan Undang-Undang Perlindungan Pekerja Rumah Tangga) is a vital step in protecting domestic worker’s rights in Indonesia. This draft law contains the protection of domestic workers and the fulfillment of their basic rights.

The Draft Law on PPRT was first proposed in 2004 and for almost two decades, this bill has not been promulgated. Although in 2023, President Joko Widodo conveyed that this bill had been included in the priority bill, but, until presently there have been no concrete steps regarding the progress of the bill.

It is hoped that the ratification of this bill will provide recognition and protection for domestic workers who have rights and obligations. Furthermore, this draft law is also aimed to build mutually humanizing situations and relationships, supporting and protecting each other between the domestic workers and employers.

In this bill, domestic workers are given the right to education and training. This is of paramount importance to improve the quality of life of workers and provide better opportunities for them.

However, even though this bill has been included in the priority list, there are still many challenges that must be faced. One of them is how to ensure that this bill can be passed and implemented properly to provide the proper protection for domestic workers.

Overall, the Draft Law on PPRT is an important step in efforts to protect domestic workers in Indonesia. With the passing of this bill, it is hoped that it will provide better protection for domestic workers and give them the rights they should have as workers.

The Urgency of the Draft Law on the Protection of Domestic Workers (RUU PPRT) towards Domestic Workers as One of the Feminist Issues

The Draft Law on PPRT is crucial and urgent to be discussed and passed. Here are some of the urgency of this bill:

State Recognition

The passing of this bill will certainly provide official recognition for domestic workers as workers who are entitled to state protection and recognition for their role in the national economy. This is also an affirmation that the profession as a domestic worker is a noble profession that is the same as other professions.

Rights Protection

The ratification of this bill will also certainly further protect the rights of domestic workers, including getting decent wages, health insurance, and protection from violence. This is important because up to now, the rights of domestic workers have been very vulnerable to being violated. Where domestic workers are often treated inappropriately and do not receive adequate wages and health insurance. Apart from that, because domestic workers tend to be workers who are often employed by women, they tend to experience physical violence and become victims of harassment. Data shows that the majority of domestic workers do not receive adequate wages and health insurance, and are vulnerable to violence.

Filling Legal Gaps

Currently, Indonesia does not yet have a comprehensive policy or regulation regarding domestic workers in one special regulation. This bill is expected to fill this legal gap. This is also one of the constitutional mandates of the 1945 Constitution where every person has the right to work and a decent living in accordance with their honor, dignity, and human rights. Therefore, it is necessary to create special regulations that provide legal standing for domestic workers.

Eliminating Discrimination

This bill is also expected to eliminate discrimination against domestic workers, including providing access to decent work, social security, and clear work agreements. Where in Article 3 letter b of the PPRT Bill, it is stated that one of the aims of this legal product is to prevent all forms of discrimination, exploitation, and harassment of domestic workers.

Thus, it is very important for the Domestic Workers Protection Bill to be passed immediately in order to protect the rights of domestic workers and provide them with proper protection.

If you are interested in issues related to gender equality and in-depth discussion about feminism, let’s join with Feminist Society. Feminist Society aims to promote progress in three key aspectsof gender equality and women’s rights activism: Law, Policy, and Advocacy through the provision of digital-based information. To get related articles, please visit the page feminist-society.blogspot.com.

You can also contact us on:

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Email                     : fem.official7@gmail.com

View More:

Rancangan Undang-Undang Perlindungan Pekerja Rumah Tangga

Baby Ista Pranoto. Perlindungan Hukum Bagi Pekerja Rumah Tangga di Indonesia. Lex Renaissance Journal. Volume 7. Number 4. https://journal.uii.ac.id/Lex-Renaissance/article/download/24290/15462/95050

Fajrianto. Perlindungan Hukum terhadap Pekerja Rumah Tangga dalam Perspektif Hak Konstitusional dan Hambatan Penerapannya di Indonesai. Al Azhar Indonesia Journal. Volume 4. Number 3. https://jurnal.uai.ac.id/index.php/JAISS/article/download/2347/pdf

https://era.id/news/115564/isi-ruu-pprt

https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/articles/cq54qxnv2y4o

https://kemnaker.go.id/news/detail/kemnaker-uu-pprt-jadi-landasan-perlindungan-pekerja-rumah-tangga

https://openparliament.id/2023/02/02/ruu-pprt/

https://gajimu.com/tips-karir/Tentang-wanita/pekerja-rumah-tangga/mengenal-rancangan-undang-undang-perlindungan-pekerja-rumah-tangga-1

https://berkas.dpr.go.id/puslit/files/isu_sepekan/Isu%20Sepekan---I-PUSLIT-November-2021-215.pdf

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2022/09/01/09041501/wamenkumham-sebut-urgensi-ruu-pprt-untuk-lindungi-pekerja-rumah-tangga

 

Everyone Has Their Own Right to Be Childfree

 

The Rights to Be Childfree

The decision to be childfree, that is, to not have children, is a personal choice that is increasingly being recognized and respected in many societies. It is regarded as a fundamental right that should be respected no matter what their reasons are for choosing to be childfree as that is their own responsibility as human beings. This article explores the rights associated with this choice and the societal implications of being childfree.

Understanding Childfree

The term “childfree” refers to individuals or couples who consciously choose not to have children. This is distinct from being “childless”, which refers to those who would have liked to have children but could not for various reasons.

The right to be childfree is actually the decision or lifestyle choice of not having children, whether biological, stepchildren, or adopted. This trend began to appear towards the end of the 20th century. Nowadays, the trend has been increasing broadly and even has been considered as a social movement in many countries.

The Right to Choose

The International Conference on Population and Development’s “Programme of Action” adopted in 1994, states that all couples and individuals have the basic right to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children. This includes the choice to have zero children, thus recognizing the right to be childfree.

In the Indonesian constitution as mandated in Article 28B Paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia states that continuing offspring is a right and not an obligation. Therefore, everyone is free to choose whether they want to have children or not at all.

Societal Implications

Despite the recognition of this right, those who choose to be childfree often face societal pressure and stigma. This is largely due to pro-natalism, a deep-seated belief held nearly ubiquitously around the world, that child-bearing and parenthood are key arbiters of a successful human lifetime.

However, it is important to note that people’s identities or intrinsic worth should not be measured primarily in terms of their childbearing decisions. Whether someone chooses to be childfree, or to have a large family, or to have fewer children for reasons such as contributing to global sustainability, they are much more than the outcomes of their reproductive careers.

Conclusion

The right to be childfree is a fundamental aspect of reproductive freedom. It is a choice that should be respected and protected. While societal norms and expectations may often challenge this choice, it is crucial to remember that everyone has the right to decide what is best for them. The decision to be childfree is a valid and important one, deserving of respect and understanding.

Remember, to have or not have children is a human right that everybody should be able to exercise without judgment or criticism. Whether for social, economic, environmental, or other reasons, the choice to be childfree is a deeply personal one, and it is a choice that should be respected.

 

If you are interested in issues surroundings gender equality and in-depth discussion about feminism, let’s join with Feminist Society. Feminist Society aims to promote progress in three key aspects of gender equality and women’s rights: Law, Policy, and Advocacy through the provision of digital-based information. To get related articles, visit the page feminist-society.blogspot.com.

You can also contact us on:

Instagram             : @feministsociety.id

Email                   : fem.official7@gmail.com

View More:

https://www.populationmedia.org/the-latest/what-does-childfree-mean

https://populationmatters.org/choosing-childfree/

https://www.atlantis-press.com/proceedings/iccee-21/125974082

https://worldschildrensprize.org/explore-right-to-be-free