Mobilizing voices for domestic worker protection in Indonesia Sri Wiyanti Eddyono and Estu R. Fanani SCN-CREST - UNRISD

Focus Assessing mobilisation for the bill domestic workers protection in Indonesia Why is challenging to approve domestic worker protection bill? The actors The strategies The State’s responses

Framework women’s mobilisation on gender equality policy Htun and Weldon (2011) categories: Gender or class based policies Doctrinal and non doctrinal

Argument 1: NO CLEAR CUT DISTINCTION but OVERLAPPED DoctrinalNon-doctrinal Class-basedChallenge the stratification -Public and domestic arena -Productive and reproductive works Challenge the assumption domestic worker non a decent work Gender- based Challenge the gender ideology on women roles Promote the protection of domestic worker as part of women’s human rights issues

Argument 2 Policies reform in the context of democratisation and decentralisation A political process The state attitude toward domestic Resistance Broader public

Argument 3 Mobilisation in democratic era: Broader public support is significant The opportunity to raise concern The possibility to collaborate with broader networks: local, national and international

The mobilisation of the bill Started in 2004, through research conducted by women’s networks from NGOs and National Commission on Violence against Women (KOMNAS PEREMPUAN) The study mapped the problems and the recommendation ---advocacy domestic workers protections The development of national networks on advocacy for the protections of domestic workers – JALA PRT (2004) –by mostly women’s NGO.

Domestic Worker issues No reliable data of the number of domestic workers No recognition as a worker –called as PEMBANTU (helper)— The vulnerable conditions of works (long hours, low payment, no access to social protection, etc). Mostly women (adult and minor) Lack of protection---(only anti domestic violence Act 2004) ---domestic worker abuses

THE INITIATORS and THEIR STRATEGIES Different actors Similar claims: -domestic workers as worker –protection on domestic worker right Different approaches and strategies : JALA PRTKOMNAS PEREMPUAN PerspectiveMIXED between labour relations and GENDER issues In practiceWorker’s rightsGender norms and issues

The strategies JALA PRT (the networks formed) in 2004—draft bill and academic papers and develop strategies: Focus to approach parliament Other strategies: Organising domestic workers groups Mobilising support from different provinces Expanding networking with workers unions and migrants workers NGOs Approaching governments and parliaments Utilising International frameworks and networks KOMNAS PEREMPUAN Providing input to parliament Socialising to other women’s groups (mainstreams)

State responses PARLIAMENT (and the government) Strong resistance Parliament developed the bill in 2011 –discontinued. Adopted minor ideas: such as domestic worker as a worker and the right to access health services, but not relevant claims son domestic worker rights

The tensions ClaimsJALA PRTParliaments Working hoursPart time: 4 hours Full time:8 h/ 5 days or 7 h/6 d Part time: 4-6 hours Full time: 8-12 hours The age18 years15 years wageBased on standard minimum Based on agreement Day off1-2 days1 day but depend on employer LeaveAnnual leave, maternity leave an period leave Not domestic worker rights

The conclusion Problematic issues as class and gender based issues The resistance  The parliament members and governments, the labour organisations–representing their position as employers Women’s Middle up—workers in public spaces vs lower class No broader supports: Tension among the members of the JALA PRT (labor groups); Limited support from the broader women’s movements. No strong alliance between two keys actors

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