Transformation of Employment Relationships in the Digital Era: Reconstructing Legal Protection for Freelance Workers within Indonesia's Employment System

Abstract

The rapid growth of the digital economy has significantly increased the number of freelance and gig workers in Indonesia. However, the national labor law framework remains oriented toward conventional employment relationships and has yet to provide adequate legal certainty regarding the legal status, rights, and protection of freelance workers. This study aims to analyze the transformation of employment relationships within Indonesia's labor law system and examine the urgency of strengthening legal protection for freelance workers in the era of the gig economy. This research employs a normative legal method using statutory and conceptual approaches. The findings indicate that the existing labor regulations have not accommodated the characteristics of project-based and platform-based employment, resulting in a legal vacuum for freelance workers. Based on Sudikno Mertokusumo's Theory of Legal Certainty, comprehensive regulations are required to provide clear legal status, rights and obligations, social security protection, and effective dispute resolution mechanisms for freelance workers. Therefore, accelerating the enactment of the Gig Workers Protection Bill and strengthening the role of the Department of Industry, Manpower, and Transmigration of East Aceh Regency are strategic measures to ensure legal certainty and fair legal protection for freelance workers in the digital economy era.