PPPA Minister Seeks Stronger Safeguards in Labor Protection Legislation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Arifah Fauzi, is advocating for stronger protections for women and children in the Labor Protection Bill to ensure that labor regulations provide legal certainty and prevent discrimination against vulnerable groups.

She views the labor sector as closely linked to the protection of vulnerable groups, particularly women working in the informal sector. Women comprise the majority of home-based workers and those in the care sector, making adequate legal protection necessary.

"The Labor Protection Bill is strongly linked to the protection of vulnerable groups, especially women and children. Therefore, this regulation must ensure that the rights and protections for women and children are optimally fulfilled," said Minister Arifah Fauzi in a press statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

She emphasized that labor regulations must guarantee equality and prevent discrimination against women and children. Adequate legal protection must also be ensured so that the rights of vulnerable groups are fully met.

"Such protection must support a balance between work and family life. This can be achieved by providing lactation facilities, childcare centers, and work schedules consider workers' needs," she said.

Minister Arifah explained that the Labor Protection Bill incorporates provisions to protect women and children, including a ban on child labor, with exceptions for certain light work. Light work for children aged at least 15 is permitted only under strict conditions and without child exploitation.

Regarding female workers, the bill extends labor regulations to include care work. It also expands occupational health and safety aspects to include the prevention of workplace violence and bullying.

"Workplace protection must encompass the prevention of violence and bullying, as well as accessible internal complaint mechanisms. Ensuring worker safety means more than just preventing accidents; it requires guaranteeing a safe and secure working environment," she said.

The minister added that the bill also prohibits discrimination based on marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, and miscarriage. Furthermore, pregnant female workers cannot be assigned to high-risk tasks that could endanger their pregnancies.

"Female workers' rights must be fulfilled, including leave for menstruation, childbirth, and miscarriage. Pregnant women must also be protected from high-risk work that could endanger their pregnancies,” Minister Arifah emphasized. (Misni Parjiati-EN)