M Julnis Firmansyah, Jakarta – Domestic Workers joined in the Civil Coalition for the Law on Protection of Domestic Workers (UU PPRT) are determined to camp outside the House of Representatives (DPR) building on March 11-13, in protest against the delay of the bill ratification.
House Speaker Puan Maharani recently announced the ratification of the bill is postponed ahead of the DPR plenary meeting on March 14, 2023.
"We regret and are concerned about the attitude of the DPR speaker who remains impartial to the ratification of the Domestic Workers Protection Law which has been fought for 19 years by domestic workers and civil society and has also been supported by the President on January 18," as read in the coalition's press release on Friday, March 10.
The coalition said that all faction leaders and the DPR deputy speakers have stated their support for the bill. President Jokowi has also asked the DPR to pass it.
"But the PDIP faction chair and the DPR Speaker just stay still. The DPR Speaker instead used irrelevant arguments to delay the bill ratification. It has been 19 years, do you still have the heart to leave it hanging, Bu?" the coalition questions Puan.
On this basis, the coalition set up tents and camps outside the parliament building for three days, bringing four demands. First, immediately hold a meeting to pass the bill. Secondly, have a dialogue between DPR and domestic workers. Thirdly, replace the PDIP faction chair. And fourthly, encourage people to join the protest before the DPR from March 11 to 13, 2023.