Gaps in Legal Protections for Female Workers: A Socio-Legal Study in Tolitoli, Indonesia

The lack of adequate safety, health guarantees, and protection of rights for female workers presents a significant challenge within Indonesia’s labor sector, particularly in Tolitoli Regency. This study seeks to analyze the legal protection available to female workers across the country, with a specific focus on the fulfillment of their rights in Tolitoli Regency. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, the research utilizes a socio-legal methodology, supported by empirical observations. Data sources include relevant laws, regulations, and previous research findings, assessed through scientific and descriptive qualitative methods. The findings indicate that while Indonesian labor laws provide a normative framework for worker protection, specific legal safeguards for female workers are not fully enforced. There are clear disparities in the ability of different societal groups to access the protections and rights guaranteed by the state. In Tolitoli, many female workers are still unable to fully exercise their rights. Female workers are often regarded as mere production tools rather than valuable assets, which leads to a low level of employer responsibility, with profit motives prevailing. The Omnibus Law on Job Creation is expected to enhance the business environment while ensuring that female workers’ rights are protected.