This study investigates the evolving role of domestic workers (pekerja rumah tangga/PRT) in Indonesia's care economy. Their labor enables families to participate in paid employment, education, and public life. Despite their central role in household functioning and the broader economy, PRT are still viewed as informal care workers, shaped by colonial legacies and cultural norms that associate caregiving with low-skilled, private labor. They continue to face limited legal protection and public recognition.

This study's findings show that PRT—many of whom are women who migrate from rural areas and start working at a young age—operate under precarious conditions. Most are hired without written contracts and face unclear compensation structures, limited mobility, and minimal protection under labor law. Their work is increasingly complex, involving tasks such as infant stimulation, older people’s care, dietary monitoring, and appliance management, yet few workers receive formal training. Cultural ideas continue to normalize unequal working relationships between PRT and their employers, while public perceptions label domestic work as menial tasks.

The 2025–2045 Roadmap and National Action Plan on the Care Economy for a Transformative, Gender-Equal, and Just World of Work (Peta Jalan dan Rencana Aksi Nasional Ekonomi Perawatan untuk Dunia Kerja yang Transformatif, Setara, dan Adil Gender 2025–2045) marks a significant policy milestone by positioning care work as essential to gender equality and economic justice. However, major gaps persist. Local governments are largely unaware of the roadmap, and national planning documents scantily mention domestic care work as labor. There is also a significant lack of data on PRT, which limits evidence-based policymaking. Meanwhile, formal recognition of domestic workers within Indonesia lags behind policies for migrant labor. To close these gaps, the study strongly recommends passing the Domestic Workers Protection Bill (RUU PPRT) with clear labor standards, safeguards against exploitation, and recognition of PRT as skilled workers. Additional priorities include public campaigns to shift the narrative from pembantu (helper) to pekerja rumah tangga (domestic worker), accessible training opportunities, and better coordination among government agencies, NGOs, and employers. Integration into the formal care economy and inclusion in national labor surveys are also recommended. These reforms are critical not only for achieving fairness but also for building a more inclusive and resilient care infrastructure for Indonesian families.

Suggested Citation:

Utari, Valentina Y. D., Asep Kurniawan, Sylvia Andriyani, Hening Wikan Sawiji, Hartika Arbiyanti, and Esha Adnan (2026) ‘Investing in Care Workers: Positioning Domestic Care Workers in Indonesia’s Care Economy.’ Jakarta: The SMERU Research Institute <URL> [access date].