Audio By Carbonatix Indonesia's parliament has passed a law to protect the rights of domestic workers, more than 20 years after it was first introduced. The country is home to some 4.2 million domestic workers, of which almost 90% are women. They were previously not legally classified as workers. They will now be entitled to health insurance, rest days and pensions. Placement agencies will also no longer be allowed to implement wage deductions, and it will be illegal to hire children under the age of 18 as domestic workers. Some wept upon hearing that the law was passed, with one worker saying it was the culmination of a "22-year struggle to gain protection". The Domestic Workers Protection Law was first introduced in 2004 but repeatedly ran into roadblocks. Discussions on the bill were stopped for years before being brought up again in parliament in 2020. Regulators will now have one year to draft detailed implementation policies. Despite their critical role in the economy, millions of Indonesia's domestic workers were unprotected under local labour laws. Many were employed informally without any legal contract. Some work long hours for little pay, and some enter the profession as young as 12. "It feels like a dream," Ajeng Astuti, one of the domestic workers, told BBC Indonesian. "This is our 22-year struggle as marginalised women to gain protection." Jumiyem, a domestic worker from Yogyakarta, said: "We've been longing for this [law], and now we can feel it". Some rights groups hailed the law, but warned that more would still need to be done, adding "the struggle is not over". Lita Anggraini, of the Jala PRT rights group, told news agency AFP that a public education campaign would be needed to teach employers about their responsibilities. The group reported more than 3,300 cases of violence against domestic workers from 2021-2024, including cases of physical and psychological abuse. DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. Tags: Domestic Workers Indonesia DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. Related to this story Magnitude 7.4 earthquake hits off Indonesia, killing one Indonesia says will withdraw from Board of Peace if it does not benefit Palestinians Indonesians raise white flags as anger grows over slow flood aid Death toll from devastating Indonesia floods passes 900 Death toll in Indonesia floods passes 500 Indonesia searches for hundreds missing in deadly floods Ambulances line up near collapsed Indonesian school building as search for trapped students continues Over 1,000 children fall ill from free school lunches in Indonesia Over 1,000 children fall ill from free school lunches in Indonesia Hundreds of women with brooms join protests as Indonesia leader flies to China Latest Stories God meant it for good that I was imprisoned – Tsatsu Tsikata on ‘amazing grace’ moment37 minutes Domestic workers legally recognised in Indonesia after ’22-year struggle’59 minutes I could have been dead – Tsatsu Tsikata reflects on prison, pain and ‘amazing grace’1 hour I didn’t put those talents in myself – Tsatsu Tsikata credits God for legal brilliance2 hours Nigeria’s Dangote taps Honeywell to expand plastics and detergent petrochems2 hours At Senegal forum, Niger and Mali say neighbours sponsor terrorism2 hours Nigeria’s president names Taiwo Oyedele as new finance minister2 hours Los Angeles schools set limits on classroom screen time2 hours Trump buys time for Iran deal after frantic day of diplomacy3 hours Asiedu Nketia breaks self-imposed media silence, hails Lambussie FM as tool for local voice3 hours Chocolate giants back UK regulation to help small farmers as deforestation rules bite3 hours Funds for 2026 WASSCE practicals released – GES3 hours Their enthusiasm was crushing – Tsatsu Tsikata overwhelmed by students after UPSA Honour3 hours Veep and CJ caught me off guard – Tsatsu Tsikata stunned by power turnout at Honorific Lecture4 hours My wife brought me food daily – Tsatsu Tsikata on surviving alleged prison poison threat4 hours