Bill on Protection of Domestic Helpers Proof of State Presence for Common People

Kompas/Irene Sarwindaningrum

Kustini (50) and Siti Aminah (40) work as housemaids in an apartment in Jakarta.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — It is time for the profession of domestic helper (PRT) to be recognized by the state so that these workers, who are mostly from poor families, feel they are protected by their own government. As a profession that supports productive families who work in various sectors, domestic workers are entitled to protection and state recognition for their role in the national economy.

Indonesian Women's Congress (Kowani) chairperson Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo confirmed in Jakarta on Monday (1/11/2021) that Kowani supported the ratification of the Protection of Domestic Workers Bill (RUU PPRT) as a form of state presence for the common people, as well as to provide certainty for employers. She hopes that the House of Representatives and the government will soon complete the deliberation of the bill.

Giwo said there was nothing to worry about in the RUU PPRT. She called on members of the House and all parties to examine the contents of the bill more clearly so that they could know the long-term benefits.

"Don't look into it from a political perspective. Let's look at it as the state existing for the grassroots people. Please read [the bill] so that we have a common perception of social justice. Don't we want to be a developed country? If we go to developed countries, we must have quality human resources. The RUU PPRT is the first step in the formation of quality human resources,” said Giwo.

For employers, the RUU PPRT actually provides certainty in a professional working relationship with domestic workers.

The long-awaited ratification of the RUU PPRT into law would actually be of great benefit not only to domestic workers but also to employers. The bill is not only limited to regulating a decent wage but is also a concrete form of state presence providing social security and protection from various forms of violence, child labor practices and human trafficking. For employers, the RUU PPRT actually provides certainty in a professional working relationship with domestic workers.

KOMPAS/LUCKY PRANSISKA

Several women came to the distribution center to apply as housemaids, Monday (7/11/2005).

“The spirit of the RUU PPRT is to humanize people; that's what’s most important. How can we still live in a relationship that is unclear? This is not the age of slavery. But we also have to be wise with the existing sociocultural basis, so this bill has what is called ‘clustering’," the chairman of the RUU PPRT Working Committee and deputy chairman of the House Legislation Body (Baleg), Willy Aditya, said on Monday.

“Clustering” in the bill describes domestic workers who are recruited without a work contract, specific working hours and unions, as well as those recruited through distributors, and who can be regulated in more detail.

From the legislation process, the text or draft of the RUU PPRT was actually completed by Baleg in July 2020. Baleg has sent letters to House leaders three times asking for a schedule for a plenary meeting.

"It's just a matter of making the bill officially an initiative of the House through a plenary meeting. It's November now. This means that it has been almost a year and a half that the bill was left untouched. At every Baleg meeting, I remind fellow lawmakers to bring it to the plenary session, but it has not yet been scheduled. We hope it will be scheduled soon. This is a populist law; pro-people because it relates to the people," said Willy.

Perspective

A member of the National Commission on Anti-Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), Theresia Iswarini, emphasized that the RUU PPRT was a means of protection to ensure that the rights of domestic helpers were fulfilled. However, given the situation and political dynamics of the legislation process, which is still marked with a patriarchal culture and social class bias, she continues to encourage the strengthening of organizations and domestic workers, including in social protection as an alternative.

"The challenge regarding domestic helpers is the perspective of the policymakers who still place themselves as 'employers' rather than as policymakers who have a mandate to protect vulnerable groups," said Rini.

KOMPAS/ADITYA DIVERANTA

A housemaid pushes a baby stroller at a playground in the Menteng Square Apartment area, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (10/22/2019).

In the long term, the ratification of the RUU PPRT will also facilitate diplomacy to protect Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) abroad because 80 percent of migrant workers work as domestic helpers. Migrant Care, a non-governmental organization that actively defends migrant workers’ rights, also supports the RUU PPRT.

Apart from having clear working hours, domestic workers will also receive social protection from the state.

The executive director of Migrant Care, Wahyu Susilo, said the RUU PPRT regulated the preparation of the quality of domestic helpers through vocational training so that their work competence will increase. Apart from having clear working hours, domestic workers will also receive social protection from the state.

"So far, the government has demanded other countries to protect Indonesian migrant workers, [but] at home, there is no protection for domestic helpers. There is indeed a cultural connection. However, the principles must still fulfill human rights,” said Wahyu. (SON/TAM/HRS/KOR)

(This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswoko).