Electronic Theses and Dissertation

ABSTRACT SABRINA RAMADHANI (2025) LEGAL PROTECTION OF INDONESIAN DOMESTIC WORKERS IN HONG KONG: ANALYSIS OF LAW NUMBER 18 OF 2017 AND STANDARD EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT Faculty of Law, Syiah Kuala University (x, 61) pp., abbr., tabl., bibl. (Eka Kurniasari, S.H., M.H., LL.M) This research examines the legal protection of Indonesian domestic workers in Hong Kong by comparing Indonesia’s Law Number 18 of 2017 and the Hong Kong Standard Employment Contract. It highlights the gap between the legal ideals of protection and the workers real conditions, where many still face risks of exploitation, limited access to justice, and weak enforcement of rights. This study addresses two main issues: the effectiveness of Law Number 18 of 2017 on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, the focus lies on the strengths and limitations of Indonesia’s national law as well as the protections provided under Hong Kong’s legal system. And the role of the Standard Employment Contract (SEC) in Hong Kong in safeguarding Indonesian domestic workers. The research employs a normative legal method with statutory, conceptual, and comparative approaches. Data were drawn from primary legal authorities, secondary, tertiary legal authorities, and analyzed qualitatively through interpretation of relevant laws, principles, and doctrines. Findings show that Law Number 18 of 2017 establishes a three-phase protection scheme, before departure, during employment, and after employment. But its application is limited by jurisdiction. By contrast, the SEC provides more concrete safeguards, including minimum wage, leave entitlements, medical care, and accommodation. However, barriers such as the live-in rule and the two-week rule still reduce its effectiveness. This research suggests stronger monitoring and coordination between Indonesia and Hong Kong, ratification of ILO Convention No. 189 on decent work for domestic workers and the establishment of a bilateral agreement between Indonesian and Hong Kong to ensure comprehensive protection and enforcement of Indonesian domestic workers rights.