Indonesia legally recognises domestic workers after 22-year struggle

Indonesia's parliament has passed a law to protect the rights of domestic workers, more than 20 years after it was first introduced.

The new legislation legally recognises domestic workers as workers entitled to labour protections.

The law grants domestic workers access to health insurance, rest days, and pensions, and prohibits wage deductions by placement agencies.

It also bans the employment of children under 18 as domestic workers.

Indonesia is home to approximately 4.2 million domestic workers, nearly 90% of whom are women.

Prior to this law, domestic workers were not legally classified as workers and were largely unprotected under local labour laws.

Many were employed informally without contracts and faced long hours and low pay.

The passage of the Domestic Workers Protection Law marks the culmination of a 22-year campaign by domestic workers and rights groups.

Some workers expressed emotional relief and hope upon the law's approval.

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