The guest lecture with the title “The Urgency of Enacting the Draft Law on the Protection of Domestic Workers (RUU PPRT)” just conducted on Friday (20/9/24). This guest lecture was highlighting the importance of legal protection and welfare of domestic workers in Indonesia, that have fought for at least 19 years to push the enactment of Domestic Workers Protection Bill. Therefore, Ari Ujianto, S.H., M.Si. from National Advocacy for Domestic Workers (JALA PRT) and Jumiyem, S.H., from Tunas Mulia Yogyakarta Domestic Workers Community were invited as the speaker for this guest lecture. Besides the two speakers aforementioned, Niken Subekti Budi Utami, S.H., M.Si. was also invited to be the moderator that guide the discussion.
The guest lecture was successfully conducted through the partnership between the Department of Criminal Law with the Master of Law Study Program. This event was aimed to support the lecture in order to improve the quality of education, that aligned with the 4th goal of SDGs.
The lecture was opened with watching the documentary film entitled “Mengejar Mbak Puan” (Chasing Mbak Puan). This film was telling a story about the effort of Indonesian Domestic Workers in pushing the enactment of Domestic Workers Protection Bill (RUU PRT). Although this movement was gaining support from the President of Indonesia, Jokowi, but until today, this Bill has not yet been enacted by Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, Puan Maharani. This film portrays the daily movement by the Domestic Workers in front of the House of Parliament Building, including the symbolic actions and “mogok makan” (hunger strike) to seek for justice. This film was directed by Ani Erma Susanti and Luviana, and aimed to remind the audience about the importance of Domestic Workers’ protection rights.
Jumiyem highlighted that Domestic Workers are prone to be underpaid by their employers that led to the human rights violation. The Domestic Workers are also not provided with a decent social security, break time, and legal protection, therefore, their position are prone to exploitation and even harassment. Jumiyem also explained about the importance of changing the phrase “pembantu” to “asisten rumah tangga” (domestic assistant) that considered as demeaning of dignity.
Ari Ujianto emphasized on the injustice in work relations between the employer and the workers that creates an inequality in terms of power and economy. Ari Ujianto also discussed about the discrimination among the Domestic Workers, from the absence of recognition of their status as formal workers, until the physical, verbal, and sexual abuse. Ari Ujianto emphasized the urgency for the state to enact the UU PRT that was expected to provide a stronger guarantee and protection for the domestic workers.
RUU PRT, according to the speakers, will provide a strong legal protection for the domestic workers, regulate the rights and obligations between the workers and the employers, and ensure the fair and humane employment relationship. The enactment of this Bill was considered as a crucial step in preventing exploitation, harassment, and discrimination towards the domestic workers, along with providing a proper welfare for them.
This guest lecture was highlighting that this Bill is not only important in giving a proper recognition for the domestic workers, but also an important part in implementing a just, healthy, and inclusive Indonesia for the workers.
The guest lecture was closed with an interactive question and answer sessions where the participants asked about the initiatives in broaden the domestic workers protection through the governor regulation or regional regulation, and to what extent the RUU PPRT can accommodate the issues related to discrimination and injustice for domestic workers.
Writer: Maria Melina Pentika (Part Timer MIH)
