Pembaharuan Hukum
Vol 13, No 1 (2026): Jurnal pembaharuan Hukum

Legal Protection for Indonesian Informal Migrant Workers: Substantive and Comparative Justice

Dwi Arie Isdiyanto (Borobudur University, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Zainal Arifin Hoesein (Muhammadiyah University, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Ahmed Kheir Osman (Somali National University)



Article Info

Publish Date
03 Apr 2026

Abstract

This study analyzes the alignment of legal protection frameworks for informal migrant workers between Indonesia and destination countries and evaluates the effectiveness of government diplomacy and institutional roles in ensuring substantive and comparative justice. This research uses a normative juridical method with a comparative approach through a review of regulatory literature, institutional documents, and academic works. The analysis shows that Indonesia has relatively strong de jure protection; however, its de facto implementation remains weak due to differences in legal systems, inadequate oversight, unprocedural placement practices, and the kafala system. Malaysia and Singapore also exhibit regulatory limitations. Therefore, the protection of informal migrant workers requires harmonization of international law, strengthening of bilateral agreements, and optimization of diplomatic and institutional capacity to achieve sustainable substantive justice.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

PH

Publisher

Subject

Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

Jurnal Pembaharuan Hukum is a scientific publication containing research article, case report and review article in Law area. This journal is published by the Faculty of Law Universitas Islam Sultan Agung three time a year. This journal gives a good opportunities for law researchers, lecturers, ...