NusaBali reports that the widespread use of casual daily workers (DW) in Bali’s tourism sector for extended periods is now the focus of a Member of Commission III DPR RI (National House of Representatives) for the Bali electoral district, I Nyoman Parta. Parta insists that workers who are continuously employed, even as casual workers, must receive greater legal certainty regarding their employment status under national labor regulations.
Parta raised this issue during an open dialogue on the future level of the Bali Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP), conducted by the DUASISI Project at Undiknas Denpasar on Friday afternoon, 09 October 2026.
The DUASISI Project is an information, opinion, and public education forum founded by I Gede Benny Subawa, focusing on environmental sustainability, social criticism, and public policy literacy in Bali and Indonesia as a whole.
”The use of casual daily workers or daily workers in the tourism sector must not continue over an extended period of time without paying more attention to employment guidelines that protect workers’ rights,” said Parta.
The provisions protecting the interests of daily workers are regulated under Article 10 of Government Regulation Number 35 of 2021. If daily workers work 21 days or more a month for three consecutive months, their employment status automatically changes to that of an Indefinite Time Work Agreement (PKWTT), with rights and privileges similar to permanent staff workers.
According to Parta, tourism development should be measured not only by business growth, but also by the level of welfare enjoyed by the people who support it. Work security is an important aspect of protecting workers’ rights.
On the other hand, Bali’s cost of living must be considered when determining the soon-to-be-established 2027 minimum wage level (UMP). The 2026 Bali UMP is set by law at Rp 3,207,459 per month – an amount that is still far below the Decent Living Needs/Cost of Living (KHL) figure of around Rp 5.2 million, which now forms the frame of reference for the Island’s labor unions.
Parta highlighted the housing costs workers must bear, especially those from outside Denpasar and Badung. Monthly income must be subdivided further to pay for boarding, transportation, food, and daily needs.
”Come on, show me, where is a boarding house that is cheaper than Rp 1,200,000?” Parta challenged in his testimony before the DPR RI.
This burden is even greater for workers with families because their income must also cover household and child needs. Therefore, according to him, wage policies must be considered when assessing workers’ real conditions, not merely industrial development.
Parta emphasized that the responsibility to improve workers’ welfare cannot be placed solely on employers. The government also needs to implement policies that support a decent life and ensure labor regulations are enforced.
”Is this the responsibility of all entrepreneurs? No. The government must participate,” said the social activist and PDI-P Party politician.
He also reminded people that local workers are not just a driving force in the tourism industry, but also play an important part in sustaining Balinese culture. Balinese people working in various sectors of the economy are also part of a community that maintains traditions and culture, which is one of the main attractions for tourists visiting the Island of the Gods.
”Who looks after Balinese culture? Balinese people look after it. Next, Balinese workers do. Balinese workers are also caretakers of culture,” stressed the Patra who hails from Guwang, Sukawati, Gianyar Regency in Bali.
He reminded everyone that rapid tourism development should not make it harder for the people who support it to meet their basic living needs.
”This demands our shared attention. It cannot be that only one side is developing rapidly, while the other side, which provides the cultural support, is faltering,” he stressed.
The dialogue entitled ‘Peace‘ was guided by the Founder of the DUASISI Project, I Gede Benny Subawa. The forum featured the Head of the Bali Province Manpower and Energy and Mineral Resources Service, Ida Bagus Setiawan; the Head of Badung PHRI, I Gusti Agung Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya; economics academic I Gusti Ngurah Widya Hadi Saputra; and the representative of the Bali Governor’s Expert Group, Prof. Agoes Ganesha Rahyuda.
In the forum, Parta also encouraged students and the younger generation to understand their employment rights and become critical of worker issues. According to him, tourism sustainability must go hand in hand with strong working relationships, protecting rights, and improving local communities’ welfare.
Related Links
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Bali Workers Seeking 2027 Minimum Wage That Permits Decent Standard of Life
Is Bali’s Minimum Wage Too Low? Can Bali Sustain Livable Rp 5.2 Million Minimum Wage?
Bali: Minimum Wage Levels for 2026
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