Page 121 - CONFERENCE BOOK OF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GENDER, CULTURE AND SOCIETY (ICGCS) 2021

CONFERENCE PROGRAM AND ICGCS 2021

ABSTRACT BOOK

Gender and Economic Activities

Perception on Domestic Workers: a Case Study of

Women Domestic Workers in Surabaya

Dian Noeswantari

Universitas Surabaya

This research on perceptions of domestic workers is to describe the understanding of

domestic workers and the work of domestic workers. Respondents in this study consisted of

domestic workers, employers, and labour-supply agents. This study uses a qualitative

methodology to describe the perceptions of the respondent.

In this study, there were several changes in respondents because the person concerned was
no longer willing to be interviewed and/or observed his behaviour at work. The respondents

who were willing in the end were only respondents who had a positive perspective on

domestic workers and the work of domestic workers.

This research was conducted because there is still domestic violence that afflicts these

domestic workers. Therefore, the results of this study are expected to provide insights for the
perspective of domestic workers and the work of domestic workers. It is hoped that a more

positive and professional perspective can be the start of a discussion to strengthen the

importance and need for protection and fulfilment the rights to work of domestic workers and

the work of domestic workers.

The results showed that the respondents who came from domestic workers viewed positive on
domestic workers and the work of domestic workers. Domestic workers can be more

professional about their work. Respondents who come from employers also have a positive

perspective that domestic workers are human beings, who have human dignity and worth, so

it is important to protect and fulfil the rights of domestic workers while working. Respondents

who came from domestic worker recruitment agencies stated that they needed protection
and fulfilment of domestic workers, including worker recruitment agencies, but refused to

have further regulations because they were considered it to be a hassle.

Domestic workers who are able to act professionally will usually tend to be appreciated by

employers. Therefore, the results of this study can be used as the basis for further research to

advocate for regulations and policies to protect and fulfil the rights of domestic workers, as

well as regulate the works of recruitment agencies, and monitor employers. Monitoring of
these employers can be done on a local community basis.

Keywords: Perceptions, Domestic Workers, Surabaya

Short Biography:

Dian Noeswantari is a researcher working at the Center for Human Rights Studies at the

University of Surabaya, known as CHRS Ubaya or Pusham Ubaya Surabaya, since 2000.

The experience of a graduate from Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia, in the field of
public advocacy and action, is in mentoring and advocacy related to children, women

and environment has led her to become one of the legal drafters for the implementation
of a child protection system in East Java. To date, her research uses a rights-based socio-

legal methodology.

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