Analysis of Labor Law and Human Rights Regarding the State's Obligations in Preventing Forced Labor

Abstract

Forced labor remains one of the most serious forms of human rights violations and continues to pose significant challenges across many countries, including Indonesia. The practice of forced labor not only deprives individuals of their freedom but also violates fundamental labor rights guaranteed under national and international legal instruments. From the perspectives of labor law and human rights, the state bears constitutional and international obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill workers' rights against all forms of exploitation, including forced labor. However, globalization, labor migration, poverty, and inadequate labor supervision continue to increase the vulnerability of workers to forced labor practices. This study aims to analyze labor law and human rights regulations concerning the prevention of forced labor, evaluate the effectiveness of state obligations in preventing forced labor, and formulate an ideal legal policy model for the protection of workers. The research employs a normative legal method using statutory, conceptual, comparative, and human rights approaches. Data are collected through library research involving national legislation, international conventions, judicial decisions, academic literature, and reports issued by national and international institutions. The findings reveal that although Indonesia has established various legal instruments prohibiting forced labor, their implementation continues to face structural, substantive, and cultural challenges. Therefore, stronger regulatory frameworks, enhanced labor inspection mechanisms, harmonization of national laws with international standards, and improved worker protection systems are required to effectively prevent forced labor practices.