Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Mukhtarudin, proposed that workers in the gig economy sector be included in the discussion of the revision of Law No. 13 of 2003 on Manpower.
The gig economy refers to types of informal or part-time work based on digital platforms, allowing companies to utilize temporary workers or freelancers for short periods. And because gig workers are often vulnerable to income uncertainty, Mukhtarudin emphasized the importance of clear regulations to protect their welfare and earnings.
The proposed regulations include granting basic rights equivalent to those of formal workers—such as social security (health, pension, work accident insurance), fair wages, flexible working hours, and transparent employment agreements. On the other hand, digital platforms are also expected to take on responsibilities such as providing health insurance, training, income transparency, and timely payment systems.
The regulation also covers fair dispute resolution between workers and platforms, including issues related to rates, service quality, and working conditions. While flexibility remains a key feature of the gig economy, it should not come at the expense of basic workers’ rights.
Some types of jobs that fall into this category include:
- Online drivers
- Content writers
- Graphic designers
- Software developer
- Couriers
The revision of the Manpower Law that includes gig worker issues has been listed in the 2025 Priority National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) and is currently being discussed by Commission IX of the DPR RI—showing that the need to protect gig workers is receiving increasing attention within the new regulatory framework.
