House of Representatives Chairman Hopes PPRT Law Ends Discrimination Against Domestic Workers

JAKARTA - The Chairperson of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, hopes that the new Domestic Workers Protection Law (UU PPRT) that has just been passed can stop all forms of violence, exploitation, and discrimination that domestic workers have often experienced so far.

"Alhamdulillah after 22 years of struggle, today the PPRT Law has been passed. This is a milestone for friends who work in the domestic sector," Puan told reporters at the Parliament Complex, Tuesday, April 21.

It is known that the PPRT Law was passed in a plenary meeting chaired by Puan today at the DPR. Puan then touched on the mandate of Article 27 paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution which states that 'every citizen has the right to work and a decent living for humanity'.

"Therefore, the state must provide legal certainty and protection for all workers, including Domestic Workers (PRT) who are still in the informal sector," he said.

In addition to providing protection for PRT, Puan assessed that the PPRT Law is indeed aimed at restructuring the informal labor relations of the PRT profession that has been taking place towards a formal labor relationship that has legal certainty.

"The PPRT Law provides legal recognition for the type of PRT work," said Puan.

With this law, according to Puan, the relationship between employers and PRT can still be based on the spirit of kinship (socio-cultural), but within the framework of a professional labor relationship that is recognized and protected by law.

"And more than that, the PPRT Law is expected to be a step for the State to end all forms of discrimination, exploitation and violence against PRT, as well as ensure the realization of social justice for all Indonesian people," he said.

Puan said the PPRT Law can be a guarantee in stopping the practice of borderless work. Therefore, he said, the implementation of this law must ensure that PRT workers get a reasonable work time limit, daily and weekly rest time, and leave rights (sick, childbirth, family affairs).

"The state must not tolerate extreme exhaustion practices that threaten the safety and health of PRT," said Puan.