Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Halu Oleo Law Review

Articles

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2026): Halu Oleo Law Review

Gender Bias in the Protection of Women Workers: A Feminist Legal Theory Approach to Labor Law in Indonesia

DOI
https://doi.org/10.33561/holrev.v10i1.205
Submitted
June 28, 2026
Published
2026-10-20

Abstract

Gender inequality in the workplace remains a structural issue in Indonesian labor law. Low female labor force participation, wage gaps, inadequate fulfillment of maternity and menstrual leave rights, as well as the continued occurrence of violence and sexual harassment in the workplace, indicate a gap between normative legal protection and the concrete experiences of women workers. The research method used is normative legal research with legislative, conceptual, and case study approaches. The discussion results show that the protection of women workers still faces problems at the regulatory and implementation levels, mainly because the law often defines workers as neutral subjects without considering women’s biological, social, and economic experiences. Through Feminist Legal Theory, legal reconstruction needs to be directed toward substantive justice that recognizes women’s experiences, strengthens protection mechanisms, ensures the fulfillment of reproductive rights, and builds a labor system free from gender-based discrimination and violence.

References

  1. Adnyani, Ni Ketut Sari, and I. Wayan Landrawan. “Discrimination on the Right to Get Salary for Women Workers in Indonesia from the Ratification of International Conventions Perspective.” Pandecta Research Law Journal 18, no. 1 (June 2023): 123–32. https://doi.org/10.15294/pandecta.v18i1.44376.
  2. Amriyati, Amriyati, Siti Nurbaiti, Masri Rumita, and Fraya Layola Nainggolan. “Women Worker Protection: A Systematic Review On Maternity Protection In Indonesia.” Devotion : Journal of Research and Community Service 4, no. 2 (February 2023): 392–401. https://doi.org/10.36418/devotion.v4i2.394.
  3. Anderson, Michelle E., Justine McGowan, Jessica Escobar‐DeMarco, Sujata Bose, Edward A. Frongillo, and Laura Ferguson. “Advocating for Paid Maternity Leave and Workplace Lactation Policy Reform and Implementation: Lessons Learned From Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines and Vietnam.” Maternal & Child Nutrition 21, no. 2 (April 2025): e13784. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13784.
  4. Ardan, Ardan, Rendra Bhaktie Kusuma, Solechan Solechan, Ardila Anjar Sari, and Bimo Prasetyono. “REFORMASI HUKUM INDONESIA MELALUI LENSA FEMINIST LEGAL THEORY: MENYUSUN KEADILAN GENDER.” Yustitia 11, no. 1 (April 2025): 54–69. https://doi.org/10.31943/yustitia.v11i1.333.
  5. Astuti, Reni, Fendy Suharidadi, and Erna Setijaningrum. “From ‘Kodrat’ to Code: Women Ride-Hailing Drivers Redefining Javanese Womanhood in the Gig Economy.” Feminist Encounters: A Journal of Critical Studies in Culture and Politics 10, no. 1 (February 2026): 21. https://doi.org/10.20897/femenc/17996.
  6. Blindow, Katrina J., Emma Cedstrand, Devy L. Elling, Malin Hagland, and Theo Bodin. “Gender-Based Violence and Harassment at Work and Health and Occupational Outcomes. A Systematic Review of Prospective Studies.” BMC Public Health 24, no. 1 (July 2024): 1788. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19304-0.
  7. Chai, Yan, Vanessa Ríos-Salas, Pam Stek, and Jody Heymann. “Does Enhancing Paid Maternity Leave Policy Help Promote Gender Equality? Evidence from 31 Low- and Middle-Income Countries.” Gender Issues 39, no. 3 (September 2022): 335–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12147-021-09293-4.
  8. Dang, Minh Hoang. “Applying Feminist Legal Principles to Achieve Gender Equality in Vietnam’s Labor Legislation.” Cogent Social Sciences 10, no. 1 (December 2024): 2350566. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2024.2350566.
  9. Earle, Alison, Amy Raub, Aleta Sprague, and Jody Heymann. “Progress towards Gender Equality in Paid Parental Leave: An Analysis of Legislation in 193 Countries from 1995–2022.” Community, Work & Family 28, no. 2 (March 2025): 172–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668803.2023.2226809.
  10. Fungsional Statistisi, Badan Pusat Statistik Kabupaten Jepara, Martesa Husna Laili, Arie Damayanti, and Program Pascasarjana Ilmu Ekonomi, Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis, Universitas Indonesia. “Kesenjangan Upah Antargender Di Indonesia: Bukti Empiris Di Sektor Manufaktur.” Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Pembangunan Indonesia 18, no. 3 (July 2018): 1–21. https://doi.org/10.21002/jepi.2018.12.
  11. Hanoum, Fatma Khalida, and Johanna Debora Imelda. “The Social Security for Female Workers in Indonesia: A Gender Equality Perspective.” Journal of Gender Equality Disability Social Inclusion and Children 2, no. 2 (January 2025). https://doi.org/10.61511/jgedsic.v2i2.2025.1156.
  12. Hyland, Marie, Simeon Djankov, and Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg. “Gendered Laws and Women in the Workforce.” American Economic Review: Insights 2, no. 4 (December 2020): 475–90. https://doi.org/10.1257/aeri.20190542.
  13. Iradukunda, Sarah Karen, Obed Nahayo, and Pinky Saptandari. “Gender Bias and Sexual Harassment in the Mining Industry: Unceasing Hurdles to Females’ Career Development and Work Safety.” The Indonesian Journal Of Occupational Safety and Health 10, no. 3 (November 2021): 402. https://doi.org/10.20473/ijosh.v10i3.2021.402-411.
  14. Karnadi, Erwin Bramana. “Is There Any Discrimination Towards Young Women in Indonesia’s Labor Market?” International Research Journal of Business Studies 12, no. 1 (April 2019): 69–86. https://doi.org/10.21632/irjbs.12.1.69-86.
  15. Marzuki, Peter Mahmud. Penelitian Hukum. Jakarta: Kencana Prenada Media Group, 2019.
  16. Mulyadi, Mulyadi, Sutarman Yodo, and Sulbana Sulbana. “Legal Protection for Female Workers in Indonesia (Study on the Rights of Female Workers in Tolitoli).” Fiat Justisia: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 18, no. 4 (January 2025): 407–24. https://doi.org/10.25041/fiatjustisia.v18no4.3598.
  17. Nelson, Sioban, Basnama Ayaz, Andrea L. Baumann, and Graham Dozois. “A Gender-Based Review of Workplace Violence amongst the Global Health Workforce—A Scoping Review of the Literature.” PLOS Global Public Health 4, no. 7 (July 2024): e0003336. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003336.
  18. Nurbayani, Siti, Moh. Dede, and Millary Agung Widiawaty. “Utilizing Library Repository for Sexual Harassment Study in Indonesia: A Systematic Literature Review.” Heliyon 8, no. 8 (August 2022): e10194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10194.
  19. Octwelfth, Florentina Ezrahi, and Rasji Rasji. “Enforcement of Maternity Leave Rights for Female Workers under Labor Law.” JIHK 7, no. 2 (November 2025): 902–17. https://doi.org/10.46924/jihk.v7i2.351.
  20. Okstriana, Nur Rifa, and Agnes Silvia Munika. “LEGAL PROTECTION OF WOMEN WORKERS ON THE NIGHT SHIFT ( COMPARISION OF INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA).” Indonesian Journal of Labour Law and Industrial Relations 1, no. 01 (October 2024): 1–7. https://doi.org/10.26740/ijllir.v1i01.35291.
  21. Oppong, Dixon, and Richard Kwasi Bannor. “Gender and Power Work Relationships;: A Systematic Review on the Evidence from Africa and Asia.” Cogent Social Sciences 8, no. 1 (December 2022): 2031686. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2022.2031686.
  22. Pertiwi, Elita, Raden Muhamad Purnagunawan, Ferry Hadiyanto, and Faisal Madjid Alyasa. “Personal Capital and Female Labor Force Participation in Indonesia: A Probit Analysis of Urban–Rural Contrasts.” Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Humaniora 14, no. 2 (September 2025): 383–95. https://doi.org/10.23887/jish.v14i2.95599.
  23. Prasetio, Rizki Bagus. “Kebijakan Cuti Ayah Dalam Undang-Undang Kesejahteraan Ibu Dan Anak: Politik Hukum Dan Tantangan Dalam Mewujudkan Perlindungan Hak Maternitas Dan Kesetaraan Gender.” Jurnal Ilmiah Kebijakan Hukum 19, no. 2 (August 2025): 165–84. https://doi.org/10.30641/kebijakan.2025.V19.165-184.
  24. Putri, Icha Febriana Anggita, and Siciliya Mardian Yoel. “Pengaturan Hak Pekerja Perempuan Di Indonesia Dalam Perspektif Convention on The Elimination of All Forms Discrimination Againts Women (CEDAW).” UNISKA LAW REVIEW 3, no. 1 (June 2022): 1. https://doi.org/10.32503/ulr.v3i1.2505.
  25. Rahmah, Aisyah ‘Azizah Nur, and Wahyuni Andriana Sofa. “REVEALING THE STICKY FLOOR EFFECT OF THE GENDER WAGE GAP IN INDONESIA BY USING AN UNCONDITIONAL QUANTILE REGRESSION WITH RIF-OLS APPROACH.” BAREKENG: Jurnal Ilmu Matematika Dan Terapan 20, no. 2 (January 2026): 1047–60. https://doi.org/10.30598/barekengvol20iss2pp1047-1060.
  26. Rahmi, Ayu Sofia, Ida Widianingsih, and Erna Herawati. “Providing House of Women Workers Protection in Workplace, Indonesia’s New Policy.” Journal La Sociale 6, no. 3 (May 2025): 873–82. https://doi.org/10.37899/journal-la-sociale.v6i3.1895.
  27. Raihannabil, Syfriza Davies, Indahtul Ghaista, Ni Luh Putu Ari Susiawati, and Fitri Kartiasih. “Analysis of Socioeconomic and Demographic Characteristics of Female Participation in The Labor Market in Indonesia.” Jurnal Ketenagakerjaan 20, no. 1 (July 2025). https://doi.org/10.47198/jnaker.v20i1.464.
  28. Sapariati, Anom, Ida Ayu Putu Sri Widnyani, and Nyoman Diah Utari Dewi. “Normative Analysis Of Maternity Leave Policy Implementation For Women Workers’ Rights In Bali.” Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial Dan Politik 5, no. 1 (June 2025): 33–42. https://doi.org/10.35912/jasispol.v5i1.3817.
  29. Son, Keonhi. “Do International Treaties Have an Impact Only on Ratifying States? The Influence of the ILO Maternity Protection Conventions in 160 Countries between 1883 and 2018.” International Labour Review 162, no. 2 (June 2023): 245–69. https://doi.org/10.1111/ilr.12371.
  30. Sudaryat, Sudaryat, Deviana Yuanitasari, and Sonny Dewi Judiasih. “Policy and Implementation of Gender Equality in Indonesian Mining Companies as an Approach to Achieve the Goals of Indonesian SDGS.” Cogent Social Sciences 10, no. 1 (December 2024): 2400602. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2024.2400602.
  31. Sulistiyono, Tri, Feiruz Alamsyah, and Nofika Ilmiyah. “Guidelines for the Protection of Women Migrant Workers from the Perspective of Feminist Legal Theory.” Paper presented at Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Indonesian Legal Studies, ICILS 2022, 27-28 July 2022, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Indonesian Legal Studies, ICILS 2022, 27-28 July 2022, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia, 2023. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.27-7-2022.2342426.
  32. Tobing, Christina Nm. “LEGAL PROTECTION ON FEMALE WORKERS SUBJECT TO HARRASSMENT IN WORK RELATIONS.” Jurnal Hukum Dan Peradilan 9, no. 3 (December 2020): 337. https://doi.org/10.25216/jhp.9.3.2020.337-362.
  33. “UNPAID PARENTAL CAREGIVING AND EMPLOYMENT STATUS IN INDONESIA.” Jurnal Ekonomi Kependudukan Dan Keluarga 2, no. 2 (July 2025). https://doi.org/10.7454/jekk.v2i2.1089.
  34. Węziak-Białowolska, Dorota, Piotr Białowolski, and Eileen McNeely. “The Impact of Workplace Harassment and Domestic Violence on Work Outcomes in the Developing World.” World Development 126 (February 2020): 104732. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.104732.
  35. Widiastiani, Nindry Sulistya. “Transforming Labour and Employment Law: Protection for Female Workers Against Discrimination In Artificial Intelligence Era.” Law and Justice 10, no. 1 (August 2025): 24–39. https://doi.org/10.23917/laj.v10i1.8028.
  36. Wijayanti, Anna. “Menuju Perlindungan Maternitas Inklusif: Optimalisasi Skema Jaminan Sosial Di Indonesia.” Jurnal Jamsostek 3, no. 1 (July 2025): 111–32. https://doi.org/10.61626/jamsostek.v3i1.102.