Indonesia: Türk Applauds New Law Protecting Domestic Workers, Urges Other States Follow Suit
Summary
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk welcomed the passage of Indonesia's Domestic Workers Protection Law by Parliament on 22 April 2026, calling it a historic breakthrough for the country's 4.2 million domestic workers, the majority of whom are women. The new law recognizes domestic workers as formal workers, moving them out of the informal economy, and provides for vocational training, health and unemployment benefits, while prohibiting placement agencies from implementing wage deductions. The law also prohibits hiring children under 18 as domestic workers and mandates oversight by both central and regional governments, with a 12-month period to develop supporting regulations including penalties for non-compliant employers.
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What changed
The UN Human Rights Office released a press statement on 22 April 2026 welcoming Indonesia's passage of the Domestic Workers Protection Law, which recognizes domestic workers as formal workers and provides them with vocational training, health and unemployment benefits. The law prohibits placement agencies from implementing wage deductions and bars hiring children under 18 as domestic workers. A 12-month period is established to develop supporting regulations including penalties for employers who violate the law.
For compliance professionals monitoring international labor standards developments, this press release indicates a trend toward formalization of domestic worker protections in the Asia-Pacific region. Multinational employers with domestic worker staff in Indonesia should track implementation regulations expected within 12 months, as these will determine specific employer compliance obligations including potential penalties for non-compliance.
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Apr 23, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Press releases Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Indonesia: Türk applauds new law protecting domestic workers, urges other States follow suit
22 April 2026
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GENEVA – UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk today welcomed the passage by Indonesia’s Parliament of the Domestic Workers Protection Law, saying the new legislation marks a historic breakthrough to protect the country’s 4.2 million domestic workers, the vast majority of whom are women.
“After more than two decades of advocacy for stronger legal safeguards, this is a momentous development for domestic workers in Indonesia whose human rights, which most other workers take for granted, will now be enshrined into law,” the High Commissioner said.
“It is essential that the Indonesian authorities move swiftly to implement this law, in order to make its protections real and effective in the everyday lives of domestic workers across the country,” he added.
“I also encourage other States in the region and beyond to similarly take measures to legally recognise and protect the human and labour rights of the tens of millions of domestic workers worldwide, the majority of whom are women, who provide vital care and support to families, and contribute to societies and economies globally.”
The new Indonesian law outlines a framework that recognises domestic workers as formal workers, moving them out of the informal and unregulated economy. These provisions regulate recruitment, working conditions, and protections for domestic workers across the country.
The law provides for domestic workers to be granted vocational training, health and unemployment benefits. Whilst the law does not quantify a minimum wage, it provides for a 12-month period to work out supporting regulations, including penalties for employers who flout the law. Placement agencies are prohibited from implementing wage deductions, a common exploitative practice.
It also specifically prohibits the hiring of children under 18 as domestic workers strengthening protections against child labour.
The law mandates oversight by both central and regional governments, with community-level institutions encouraged to help prevent violence against domestic workers.
“Around the world, domestic workers are undervalued, under-protected and under-represented. This is an historic opportunity to turn the tables on this neglect and to protect, respect and honour their invaluable contribution to the welfare of so many people,” the High Commissioner said.
For more information and media requests, please contact:
In Geneva
Ravina Shamdasani: +41 22 917 9169 / [email protected]
Jeremy Laurence: +41 22 917 9383 / [email protected]
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