Legal Protection of Workers in Indonesia's Gig Economy for Digital Ecosystems: Challenges and Solutions in the Digital Labor Law Framework

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52496/mjhki.v3i2.22

Keywords:

Gig Economy;, Labour Laws;, Legal Protections;, Digital Ecosystems;, Indonesia.

Abstract

Fast and immense growth of Indonesia's gig economy using digital platforms raises many questions regarding challenges to Indonesia's prevailing legal frameworks about labor law. Gig workers are easily vulnerable on account of their unclear employment status, social security, gaps in the regulations of digital ecology, and access to dispute resolution mechanisms. The current study will explore the legal protection for gig workers in Indonesia from a juridical point of view, pinpoint lacking policies and their socio-economic impacts, and advance practicable solutions: the reclassification of employment, obligatory contributions to social security by platforms, heightened regulatory oversight, and bespoke dispute resolution systems, drawing from a review of global best practices and theoretical frameworks. The findings highlight through legislation how urgent these much-needed reforms are in treating gig workers equitably and furthering sustainable growth in Indonesia's digital economy, given that gig work is constantly changing.

Author Biographies

  • Ujang Badru Jaman, Nusa Putra University

    Ujang Badru Jaman is an Indonesian academic and researcher specializing in legal and financial studies. He is affiliated with Universitas Nusa Putra, where his research focuses on issues related to taxation, digital economy, and corporate law. His work includes publications such as “Kedaulatan pajak negara Indonesia terhadap perusahaan multinasional digital”, which reflects his engagement with contemporary challenges in tax sovereignty and multinational digital enterprises in the Indonesian context. Ujang Badru Scholar profile also features citation metrics, including an h-index that indicates his influence within academic discourse, and his contributions are recognized within national scholarly communities and indexing platforms like SINTA

  • Endah Pertiwi, Nusa Putra University

    Dr. Endah Pertiwi is an Indonesian legal scholar and researcher  affiliated with Universitas Nusa Putra in the field of law. Her research contributions focus on contemporary legal issues, particularly in information technology law and social media regulation, such as juridical analyses of misuse of personal data by social media users, reflecting engagement with current challenges in digital rights and legal protections. Her publications have been cited by other scholars, indicating influence within academic discourse on legal and digital policy. Dr. Pertiwi’s profile metrics (such as h-index and citation count) demonstrate her ongoing participation in scholarly communication and the broader legal research community.

  • Norless Zibele Nodangala, Walter Sisulu University

    Norless Zibele Nodangala is a law lecturer and researcher affiliated with Walter Sisulu University, South Africa. Her scholarly work predominantly engages with critical issues in human rights and social justice within legal frameworks, as reflected in her citation metrics and recognized contributions to legal research. Her publications contribute to academic discourse at the intersection of law, human rights, and equity, demonstrating engagement with both theoretical and applied aspects of contemporary legal challenges. Through her research, Dr. Nodangala advances understanding of justice-related legal issues relevant to both national and international contexts.

  • William Manga Mokkofe, Walter Sisulu University

    Dr. William Manga Mokofe is a legal scholar, senior law lecturer, and advocate of the High Court of South Africa He holds a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from the University of South Africa and is affiliated with the University of South Africa’s Department of Mercantile Law. His research spans a broad array of topics in legal studies, including labour law, digital transformations of legal landscapes, labour market dynamics, decent work, informal economies, and legal reform amid technological change. Dr. Mokofe’s work is recognized in both academic and practitioner circles, with numerous publications and contributions that engage with contemporary legal challenges affecting employment, social justice, and law in the digital era.

  • Muhamad Rizki Abdul Malik, Nusa Putra University

    Muhamad Rizki Abdul Malik is an academic and researcher from Indonesia He is affiliated with Universitas Nusa Putra, where he contributes to research in the field of law, particularly in areas related to legal studies at the undergraduate level. His publications include work on issues such as police legal assistance and other juridical topics, indicating engagement with contemporary legal challenges and debates in the Indonesian legal context. While his Google Scholar profile currently reflects early stages of citation impact, his academic presence is recognized in national indexing systems such as SINTA, where he is listed among authors in legal disciplines

References

Abdul Malek, Nur. “Gig Economy: Is It a Trap or Stepping Stone for the Informal Sector?” Information Management and Business Review 16, no. 3(SI) (2024a): 28–38. https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v16i3S(I)a.4201.

Abdul Malek, Nur. “Gig Economy: Is It a Trap or Stepping Stone for the Informal Sector?” Information Management and Business Review 16, no. 3(SI) (2024b): 28–38. https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v16i3S(I)a.4201.

Abdul Mujib, “The Fuilure Of Indonesian e-Commerce Law In Adapting To Digital Economy” . Ijtihad: Jurnal Wacana Hukum Islam dan Kemanusiaan Vol. 25, No. 2 (2025), pp. 213-230. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijtihad.v25i2.213-230

Adams-Prassl, Jeremias, and Martin Gruber-Risak. “The Legal Protection of Platform Workers.” In The Routledge Handbook of Smart Technologies, edited by James Wong and Karolina Zubel, 189–209. New York: Routledge, 2022.

Aminuddin, Nur Aini, and Enny Dwi Kusumawati. “The Legal Protection of the Digital Platform Workers in Indonesia: Lesson Learnt from Germany and United Kingdom.” Indonesian Journal of Law and Society 4, no. 2 (2023a): 113–130.

Aminuddin, Nur Aini, and Enny Dwi Kusumawati. “The Legal Protection of the Digital Platform Workers in Indonesia: Lesson Learnt from Germany and United Kingdom.” Indonesian Journal of Law and Society 4, no. 2 (2023b): 113–130.

Au-Yeung, Tat Chor, Chris Chan, Cheuk Ming, and Wai-keung Tsui. “The Gig Economy, Platform Work, and Social Policy: Food Delivery Workers’ Occupational Welfare Dilemma in Hong Kong.” Journal of Social Policy (2024): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0047279423000673.

Ayu, Rizky. “Role of Gig Economy Participation in Shaping Worker Economic Security in Indonesia.” International Journal of Sociology 8 (2024a): 14–23. https://doi.org/10.47604/ijs.2830.

Ayu, Rizky. “Role of Gig Economy Participation in Shaping Worker Economic Security in Indonesia.” International Journal of Sociology 8 (2024b): 14–23. https://doi.org/10.47604/ijs.2830.

Bakar, Arif, and Muhamad Ariyanto. “The Gig Economy and Its Implications for Human Resource Management in Jambi: A Preliminary Investigation.” Enigma in Economics 2, no. 2 (2024): 122–133.

Barrio, Aurora. “Unemployment Insurance for Platform Workers: Challenges and Approaches from a Comparative Perspective.” European Journal of Social Security 26, no. 2 (2024): 251–265.

Behrendt, Christina, and Quynh Nguyen. Innovative Approaches for Ensuring Universal Social Protection for the Future of Work. Geneva: International Labour Organization, 2018a.

Behrendt, Christina, and Quynh Nguyen. Innovative Approaches for Ensuring Universal Social Protection for the Future of Work. Geneva: International Labour Organization, 2018b.

Behrendt, Christina, Quynh Anh Nguyen, and Uma Rani. “Social Protection Systems and the Future of Work: Ensuring Social Security for Digital Platform Workers.” International Social Security Review 72, no. 3 (2019): 17–41.

Blázquez, Maite, Ainhoa Herrarte, and Ana I. Moro-Egido. “Well-being Effects of the Digital Platform Economy: The Case of Temporary and Self-employment.” Technological and Economic Development of Economy 30, no. 6 (2024): 1618–1651.

Cherry, Miriam A., and Antonio Aloisi. “A Critical Examination of a Third Employment Category for On-demand Work (in Comparative Perspective).” Forthcoming. In Cambridge Handbook on the Law of the Sharing Economy, edited by Nestor M. Davidson, Michele Finck, and John J. Infranca. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018. Saint Louis University Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2018-03.

Cobo, Juan Manuel de. “Contractual Relations between Providers and Digital Platforms: The Spanish ‘Riders Law.’” European Business Law Review 34, no. 7 (2023): 987–1002.

Dalimunthe, Nurul, and Muhammad Arief Fajri. “Analisis Status Pekerja Freelance dalam Perjanjian Kerja Waktu Tertentu (PKWT) dalam Perspektif Hukum Ketenagakerjaan di Indonesia.” AHKAM 2, no. 3 (2023): 482–497.

Dethier, Jean-Jacques. “Social Security: What Can Developing Countries Learn from Developed Countries?” Policy Research Working Paper No. 4335. Washington, D.C.: World Bank, 2007.

Eneh, Nneka E., Samuel S. Bakare, Adeolu O. Adeniyi, and Chinedu U. Akpuokwe. “Modern Labor Law: A Review of Current Trends in Employee Rights and Organizational Duties.” International Journal of Management & Entrepreneurship Research 6, no. 3 (2024): 540–553.

Felani, Muhammad Adli, and Dini Effendy. “Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Pekerja yang Dirumahkan Pada PT. X Kab. Bandung Ditinjau dari Peraturan Pemerintah No 36 Tahun 2021 Tentang Pengupahan dan Undang-Undang No 11 Tahun 2020 Cipta Kerja.” Bandung Conference Series: Law Studies 3, no. 1 (2023): 637–643.

Fusco, Federico. “Rethinking the Allocation Criteria of the Labour Law Rights and Protections: A Risk-based Approach.” European Labour Law Journal 11, no. 2 (2020): 131–141.

Hamid, Abdul, and Achmad Munib Intan. “Legal Protection for Informal Sector Workers in Employment Development in Indonesia: Challenges and Opportunities.” International Journal of Research in Business & Social Science 13, no. 5 (2024): 234–245.

Idayanti, Sari, Teguh Haryadi, and Erna Indriasari. “Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) as an Alternative for Electronic Transaction Dispute Settlement.” Wacana Hukum 27 (2021): 18–25. https://doi.org/10.33061/1.wh.2021.27.2.5882.

Izzati, Nabiyla Risfa, and M. M. G. Sesunan. “‘Misclassified Partnership’ and the Impact of Legal Loophole on Workers.” Bestuur 10, no. 1 (2022): 45–62.

Kothari, Jayna. “A Social Rights Model for Social Security: Learnings from India.” Verfassung und Recht in Übersee / Law and Politics in Africa, Asia and Latin America 47, no. 1 (2014): 5–21.

Pande, Neha. “What Are the Economic Implications of the Rise of the Gig Economy on Employment Stability and Benefits?” EPH-International Journal of Business & Management Science 10, no. 1 (2024): 53–67.

Pfeffer, Jeffrey, and Gerald R. Salancik. “External Control of Organizations—Resource Dependence Perspective.” In Organizational Behavior 2: Essential Theories of Process and Structure, edited by John B. Miner, 355–370. New York: Routledge, 2015.

Rhogust, Michael. “Labor Law Reform in the Gig Economy Era: Analysis of the Impact of Regulatory Changes on Freelancers in Indonesia.” Journal of Law, Social Science and Humanities 1, no. 1 (2023a): 48–60.

Rhogust, Michael. “Labor Law Reform in the Gig Economy Era: Analysis of the Impact of Regulatory Changes on Freelancers in Indonesia.” Journal of Law, Social Science and Humanities 1, no. 1 (2023b): 48–60.

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Du contrat social, ou Principes du droit politique. Vol. 3. Amsterdam: Chez Marc Michel Rey, 1762.

Silaban, Risma, Haerul Saleh Ghafur, Diah Widiawaty, and Basri Basir. “Eliminating the Gap of Labor and Social Protection for the Workers of Platform-Based Transportation.” Yustisia 12, no. 2 (2023): 185–201.

Skrzek-Lubasińska, Małgorzata, and Joanna Maria Szban. “Motivation in the Gig Economy: The Incentive Effect of Digital Platforms. A Literature Review.” Kwartalnik Nauk o Przedsiębiorstwie 72, no. 2 (2024): 95–116.

Steinberger, Benjamin Z. “Redefining Employee in the Gig Economy: Shielding Workers from the Uber Model.” Fordham Journal of Corporate & Financial Law 23, no. 2 (2017): 577–608.

Stewart, Andrew, and Shae McCrystal. Labour Regulation and the Great Divide: Does the Gig Economy Require a New Category of Worker? Sydney: The University of Sydney, 2019.

Stewart, Andrew, and Petra Williams. “Regulating the Fairness of Work Contracts in the Gig Economy.” Federal Law Review 51, no. 4 (2023): 466–486.

Tobing, Hotmarson. “The Gig Economy Dilemma: Exploring Alternatives to Create Decent Work for Online Motorcycle Taxi Drivers in Indonesia.” Jurnal Ketenagakerjaan 19, no. 2 (2024a): 168–183.

Tobing, Hotmarson. “The Gig Economy Dilemma: Exploring Alternatives to Create Decent Work for Online Motorcycle Taxi Drivers in Indonesia.” Jurnal Ketenagakerjaan 19, no. 2 (2024b): 168–183.

Witwer, Amanda R., Lynn Langton, Duren Banks, Dulani Woods, Michael J. D. Vermeer, and Brian A. Jackson. Online Dispute Resolution: Perspectives to Support Successful Implementation and Outcomes in Court Proceedings. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2021.

Yasih, Dwi Wulan Puspita. “Normalizing and Resisting the New Precarity: A Case Study of the Indonesian Gig Economy.” Critical Sociology 49, no. 4–5 (2023): 847–863.

Downloads

Published

2025-11-30

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Badru Jaman, Ujang, Endah Pertiwi, Norless Zibele Nodangala, William Manga Mokofe, and Muhamad Rizki Abdul Malik. 2025. “Legal Protection of Workers in Indonesia’s Gig Economy for Digital Ecosystems: Challenges and Solutions in the Digital Labor Law Framework”. Mawaddah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Islam 3 (2): 231-52. https://doi.org/10.52496/mjhki.v3i2.22.