Legal Protection for Female Workers from the Perspective of Human Rights and Gender Equality

Abstract

The protection of female workers is an essential component of fulfilling human rights and the principle of gender equality in labor relations. Although Indonesia has various regulations in place to protect female workers, their implementation still faces challenges such as discrimination, unequal treatment, limitations on the fulfillment of reproductive rights, and weak oversight of workers’ rights enforcement. This study aims to analyze the implementation of legal protections for female workers from a human rights perspective and to examine the protection of reproductive rights, gender equality, and the effectiveness of law enforcement. The study employs an empirical legal method with a descriptive-analytical approach through field research and literature review. Primary data were obtained through interviews and observations, while secondary data were derived from relevant laws and regulations and legal literature. The results indicate that normative protections are in place through the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, Law No. 39 of 1999, Law No. 13 of 2003, and Law No. 6 of 2023; however, their implementation has not been optimal. In conclusion, it is necessary to strengthen oversight, legal awareness, complaint mechanisms, and law enforcement to ensure the effective protection of female workers.