Journal of Legal and Cultural Analytics (JLCA)
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026): May 2026

Labor Rights in the Era of the Gig Economy: Regulatory Challenges and Legal Protection in Indonesia

Melti Wulandari (Universitas Borobudur Jakarta)
Susanto (Pamulang University Tangerang)
Edi Sofwan (Pamulang University Tangerang)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 May 2026

Abstract

The rapid growth of the gig economy has transformed labor relations in Indonesia through digital platform-based work arrangements. While gig work offers flexibility and employment opportunities, it also creates legal uncertainty regarding workers’ status and limits access to fundamental labor protections. This study aims to analyze the legal status of gig workers within Indonesia’s labor law system and identify regulatory challenges in ensuring fair legal protection. The research employs a normative legal method using statutory, conceptual, and comparative approaches supported by primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials. The findings reveal that existing labor regulations remain oriented toward conventional employment relationships and fail to accommodate platform-mediated work. As a result, gig workers occupy a legal grey area, restricting their access to minimum wage protection, social security, and safeguards against unilateral termination. The study recommends regulatory reform recognizing new employment relationships and establishing a specific legal framework for gig workers.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

jlca

Publisher

Subject

Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

The Journal of Legal and Cultural Analytics (JLCA) , is a fully open access scientific peer-reviewed journal on all aspects of law and culture. It welcomes contemprorary and traditional legal articles as well as interdisciplinary work, and invites submissions from scholars, practitioners, ...