Indonesia experts call for specialized platform worker regulations

Experts are calling for a specialized regulatory framework to protect workers within Indonesia’s growing platform economy. During a public seminar organized by the Segara Research Institute, discussions highlighted that the current Labor Protection Bill may not adequately address the unique nature of digital platform work.

Participants noted that the digital economy—spanning e-commerce, agritech, healthcare, and transportation—involves diverse roles including platform partners, independent contractors, and project-based workers. Piter Abdullah, Policy and Program Director at the Prasasti Center for Policy Studies, emphasized that these workers differ from conventional employees because they often control their own schedules and income sources. Consequently, a one-size-fits-all approach to labor law may be ineffective. There is a stated need to develop specific regulations focusing on social protection, safety, transparency, and dispute resolution mechanisms tailored to these specific work models.