ANALYSIS LEGAL PROTECTION OF CONTRACT WORKERS FOR REPEATED EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background. Fixed-term contracts that are often extended lead to a continuous employment relationship, creating legal concerns about employment status. The disparity in negotiating power between workers and employers results in a conflict between labor protection and corporate flexibility.
Research Purpose. This study analysis legal protection of contract workers in repeated employment relations, particularly the renewal or extension of fixed-term employment agreements and its impact on legal certainty, job security, and workers’ rights.
Research Method. Using a qualitative case study approach, this research explores how repeated contract practices are experienced and interpreted by workers, employers, labour union actors, and labour law practitioners. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, limited observation, and documentation, then analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns.
Findings. The findings reveal three main themes: uncertainty of employment status, unequal bargaining position, and weak enforcement of compensation and protection mechanisms. Although repeated fixed-term contracts may formally comply with written employment requirements, they can weaken substantive protection when used for continuous and structurally necessary work. This study contributes to socio-legal scholarship by showing that labour protection should be assessed not only through statutory rules, but also through enforcement practices and workers’ lived experiences.
Conclusion. The study imply the need for stronger labour inspection, clearer contract transparency, and improved legal literacy for contract workers.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Izzati, Nabiyla Risfa. ‘Deregulation in Job Creation Law: The Future of Indonesian Labor Law’. Padjadjaran Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 9, no. 2 (2022): 191–209. https://doi.org/10.22304/pjih.v9n2.a3.
Indonesia, Government of the Republic of. ‘Government Regulation Number 35 of 2021 Concerning Fixed-Term Employment Agreements, Outsourcing, Working Time and Rest Time, and Termination of Employment’. Jakarta: Government of the Republic of Indonesia, 2021.
Indonesia, Constitutional Court of the Republic of. ‘Summary of Decision for Case Number 168/PUU-XXI/2023’. Jakarta: Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia, 2024.
Rejeki, H P. ‘Legal Protection for Workers with Fixed-Term Employment Agreements (PKWT) Based on a Review of the Job Creation Regulation’. Sinergi International Journal of Law, 2025.
Deviona, Ayu Anggi, Sriono Sriono, and Nimrot Siahaan. ‘Social Security and Compensation: Analyzing the Protection of Fixed-Term Employment Contract Workers under the Omnibus Law on Job Creation’. SIGn Jurnal Hukum 6, no. 2 (2024): 85–96. https://doi.org/10.37276/sjh.v6i2.369.
Widagdo, G S. ‘Legal Certainty of the Implementation of Fixed-Time Employment Agreements after the Labor Creation Act of 2023’. Awang Long Law Review 7, no. 2 (2025): 508–16. https://doi.org/10.56301/awl.v7i2.1886.
Muhidin, Muhidin, and Faisal Santiago. ‘Reconstruction of the Principles of Justice in Employment Agreements Post Constitutional Court Decision No. 168/PUU-XXI/2023’. Greenation International Journal of Law and Social Sciences 3, no. 4 (2025). https://doi.org/10.38035/gijlss.v3i4.662.
Deviona, A A. ‘Analyzing the Protection of Fixed-Term Employment Contract Workers under Law Number 6 of 2023’. SIGn Jurnal Hukum 6, no. 2 (2024). https://jurnal.penerbitsign.com/index.php/sjh/article/view/v6n2-5.
Rejeki, Henlia Peristiwi, Toto Tohir Suriaatmaja, and Oksidelfa Yanto. ‘Legal Protection for Workers with Fixed-Term Employment Agreements (PKWT) Based on a Review of the Job Creation Regulation’. Sinergi International Journal of Law 3, no. 3 (2025). https://doi.org/10.61194/law.v3i3.793.
Ruslin, Saepudin Mashuri, Muhammad Sarib Abdul Rasak, Firdiansyah Alhabsyi, and Hijrah Syam. ‘Semi-Structured Interview: A Methodological Reflection on the Development of a Qualitative Research Instrument in Educational Studies’. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education 12, no. 1 (2022): 22–29. https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jrme/papers/Vol-12 Issue-1/Ser-5/E1201052229.pdf.
Johnson, Jessica L, Denise Adkins, and Sheila Chauvin. ‘A Review of the Quality Indicators of Rigor in Qualitative Research’. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 84, no. 1 (2020): 7120. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7055404/.
Stahl, Norman A, and James R King. ‘Understanding and Using Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research’. Journal of Developmental Education 44, no. 1 (2020): 26–28. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1320570.pdf
Miles, Matthew B, A Michael Huberman, and Johnny Saldaña. Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook. 4th ed. Sage Publications, 2020.
Braun, Virginia, and Victoria Clarke. ‘One Size Fits All? What Counts as Quality Practice in (Reflexive) Thematic Analysis?’ Qualitative Research in Psychology 18, no. 3 (2021): 328–52.
Braun, Virginia. ‘Toward Good Practice in Thematic Analysis: Avoiding Common Problems and Be(Com)Ing a Knowing Researcher’. International Journal of Transgender Health 24, no. 1 (2022): 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2022.2129597.
Benach J, Vives A, Amable M, Vanroelen C, Tarafa G, Muntaner C. Precarious employment: understanding an emerging social determinant of health. Annu Rev Public Health. 2014;35:229–253. doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-032013-182500.
Julià M, Vanroelen C, Bosmans K, Van Aerden K, Benach J. Precarious employment and quality of employment in relation to health and well-being in Europe. Int J Health Serv. 2017;47(3):389–409. doi:10.1177/0020731417707491.
Bosch G. Shrinking collective bargaining coverage, increasing employer discretion, and the future of employment relations. Transfer. 2015;21(4):417–426. doi:10.1177/1024258915607701.
Quinlan M, Bohle P. Overstretched and unreciprocated commitment: reviewing research on the occupational health and safety effects of downsizing and job insecurity. Int J Health Serv. 2009;39(1):1–44. doi:10.2190/HS.39.1.a.
Kalleberg AL. Precarious work, insecure workers: employment relations in transition. Am Sociol Rev. 2009;74(1):1–22. doi:10.1177/000312240907400101.