THE CULTURE OF NYEREP: SYNERGIZING ISLAMIC ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES AND LOCAL LABOR WORKFORCE ABSORPTION

This study investigates the potential synergy between Islamic economic principles and local labor practices to enhance informal workforce absorption in Indonesia. Using a cultural economy framework grounded in Maqashid Sharia, the research analyzes traditional freelance labor systems rooted in local wisdom, highlighting how they align with Islamic ethical values such as justice, mutual support, and wealth distribution. Through qualitative field research conducted in key batik-producing areas of Central Java, the paper presents empirical insights from 210 in-depth interviews with freelance workers and employers. The findings reveal that while local labor practices like nyerep operate informally, they reflect core values of Maqashid Sharia, particularly the preservation of life (hifz al-nafs), wealth (hifz al-maal), and dignity. However, the lack of institutional frameworks exposes workers to wage uncertainty and social vulnerability. This paper argues for a reconfiguration of informal employment systems through the lens of Islamic economic governance, providing a culturally grounded yet ethically rigorous model of workforce integration. The study contributes to expanding the discourse on Islamic economics, informal labor, and cultural sustainability in Southeast Asia by offering a scalable framework that bridges traditional practices and Sharia-based development goals.