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Domestic worker protection bill earns Jokowi’s endorsement after 19 years in limbo
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A couple on a motorcycle drives past a mural in Yogyakarta. The mural demanded that the government and the House of Representatives resume deliberations on the long-stalled domestic worker protection bill. (Antara/Andreas Fitri Atmoko)
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fter nearly two decades languishing in the legislature, the domestic worker protection bill has been publicly endorsed by President Jokowi “Jokowi” Widodo, putting pressure on the House of Representatives to hasten its passage.
Jokowi appealed to the House on Wednesday to speed up deliberations on the bill as he pledged to provide better protections for the country’s 4 million domestic workers.
"I think it’s time for us to realize the domestic worker protection law,” the President said in a live-streamed press conference, noting that prevailing labor laws did not specifically address domestic workers.
“I and all ranks of the government are committed and striving to provide protection for domestic workers […]. It has been more than 19 years and the domestic worker protection bill has yet to be passed. I hope that it can soon be enacted and give better protections for domestic workers, employers and job agencies,” Jokowi added.
The President said he had assigned the Law and Human Rights Ministry and the Manpower Ministry to coordinate efforts with the House and other stakeholders to ensure the bill’s timely passage.
Civil groups have welcomed the President’s move and hope it will break the long legislative stalemate.
“Much respect and our deepest gratitude to the President for his firm and clear statement that the bill should be urgently finalized. This is just the beginning of what’s to come. We hope the House and the government can soon discuss the bill and find common ground that can be accepted by all,” activist Lita Anggraini of the National Network on Domestic Worker Advocacy (Jala PRT) said in a live-streamed press conference.
