Pari Island, Thousand Islands: Tourism Potential, Local Community Empowerment, and Legal Protection Challenges Author: Usman Arifin M., S.H., M.H. Labor Law Consultant – Founder of USALAWFIRM – Alumni of Master of Legal Studies in Labor Law, Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia ________________________________________ Introduction Pari Island, one of the islands in the Thousand Islands regency, is renowned for its coastal tourism, including Virgin Beach (Pantai Perawan), mangrove conservation, snorkeling, and marine ecosystem education tours. This tourism potential has become an essential economic pillar for local residents, attracting thousands of domestic and international visitors each year. The island, covering approximately 41–43 hectares, has long been a popular marine tourism destination—recording over 100,000 visits throughout 2024. According to Jakarta Governor Decree No. 1986 of 2000, the administrative area of Pari Island Village spans approximately 94.57 hectares and includes 12 islands. In terms of community subdivision, the village consists of 14 neighborhood units (RT) and 4 community units (RW), spread across two main islands—Lancang Besar and Pari Islands. Of the 12 islands: 5 are designated for water catchment purposes (PHB), 1 for general utility (PHU), 4 for tourism, 1 for residential use, and 1 island (Pari Island) is zoned for 10% PHB, 40% residential, and 50% tourism. The Pari Island Village Office is located at Jalan Pulau Lancang Besar RT.003/03, Pari Island Village, South Thousand Islands Subdistrict, Administrative Regency of the Thousand Islands, Special Capital Region of Jakarta, 14520. However, behind its charm, Pari Island is facing serious threats due to illegal reclamation and dredging activities, which are destroying mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs—ecosystems that are vital for ecotourism and local livelihoods. Local Community Empowerment Local communities have initiated several programs, including: • Forum Peduli Pulau Pari (FPPP) and the Pari Island Women's Group (KPPP), actively involved in tourism management and marine conservation. • Eco-guide training programs, homestay-based tourism businesses, and mangrove planting. • Empowerment of women fishers as tour guides, ecosystem guardians, and economic contributors for their families. Although community involvement is visible, support in terms of facilities, access to financing, and protection from external pressure (e.g., land or tourism zone claims by investors) remains lacking. According to Pandulaut.org, the collective awareness manifested in the formation of FPPP and KPPP is a key step toward sustainable conservation and tourism services. In February 2024, KPPP, comprising around 20 women, received support from Pandu Laut Nusantara in the form of two fiberglass boats to enhance access to boat tours and mangrove planting. Many of these women work as fishers and tour guides, supporting their families, though they still face limited access to modern equipment like motorboats. Legal Aspects: Land Disputes & Community Rights Protection Pari Island has gained national attention due to ongoing legal conflicts between residents and private entities. The following summarizes the key cases and issues: Land Disputes and Illegal Reclamation • Since 2022, residents of Pari Island have faced lawsuits and criminalization after opposing reclamation efforts and land ownership claims by PT Bumi Pari Asri and its affiliates. • Many residents have lived on the island for decades but have not obtained land ownership certificates due to the status of the land as state-owned (under the DKI Jakarta Province). • The legal battles include lawsuits at the Jakarta Administrative Court (PTUN), with legal support from LBH Jakarta, WALHI, and KIARA. Legal Protection and Advocacy Examples of legal actions and resolutions observed by the author include: • In January 2025, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) confiscated and sealed off an illegal reclamation project by PT CPS for damaging mangrove and coral ecosystems without proper PKKPRL permits (Utilization Agreement for Marine Space). [Sources: Liputan6.com, Antaranews.com]. • Law enforcement and environmental organizations such as KPPMPI (Coalition for Coastal and Small Island Protection) have urged the government to prioritize environmental and community rights protection, particularly for coastal communities. [Sources: Reddit.com, Antaranews.com, Hijau.bisnis.com]. • Legal advocacy teams—LBH Jakarta, WALHI, and KIARA—have also filed lawsuits against the issuance of PKKPRL permits that negatively affect the livelihoods of fisherfolk and damage holistic ecosystems. [Sources: Hijau.bisnis.com, Bantuanhukum.or.id, Liputan6.com]. These legal challenges highlight the need for marine spatial permits to be fair, community-based, and environmentally sustainable—not solely profit-driven. Legal Protection Issues Include: • Marine spatial permits (PKKPRL) issued to corporations often disregard community participation principles. • Residents demand the enforcement of Law No. 32/2009 on Environmental Protection and Management and Law No. 1/2014 on Coastal Areas and Small Islands, including the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). • Informal tourism workers such as guides, homestay operators, or fisher-tourists lack formal legal protection in labor law—leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and economic uncertainty. Recommendations for Legal Protection Strategy Description 1. Legalization of Communal/Local Land Rights The Jakarta Provincial Government and National Land Agency (BPN) should provide legal certainty for residents’ land tenure through recognition of collective ownership or community management rights. 2. Audit and Review of PKKPRL Permits All marine spatial permits issued to corporations must be reviewed and evaluated with community involvement. 3. Protection of Tourism Workers A specific legal framework or regulation is needed to protect informal tourism workers in terms of wages, safety, and social security. 4. Sustained Legal Assistance Government and legal aid organizations must actively provide free and ongoing legal assistance for coastal communities. Additional Strategic Recommendations Besides the above, further efforts should focus on strengthening local economies and enforcing environmental laws: 1. Strengthening the Local Blue Economy Empower local communities, especially women fishers, through support for boats, training, and access to tourism markets. 2. Environmental Law Enforcement Ensure that reclamation or tourism permits are only issued for environmentally sound projects that have PKKPRL certification and community approval. 3. Legal Assistance & Education Provide continuous legal aid and public education about workers’ rights and permit monitoring processes. 4. Stakeholder Collaboration Strengthen collaboration among the government (KLHK, KKP, Jakarta Provincial Government), conservation NGOs, and academic institutions to realize sustainable ecotourism. Conclusion Pari Island serves as a real-world example of how ecotourism can drive local economic development. However, it remains vulnerable to land conflicts and ecosystem exploitation. For sustainable development to occur—socially, economically, and environmentally—strong legal protections for local residents and workers are essential. This not only safeguards their rights but ensures marine tourism remains inclusive and environmentally sound. Summary Table: Observed Aspects and Challenges Aspect Condition & Challenges Marine Tourism Supports the local economy, but threatened by illegal reclamation and ecosystem damage. Community Empowerment Real community efforts exist, especially among women, but facilities and support remain limited. Legal Protection Positive steps include KLHK & KKP actions, and community-led lawsuits filed with LBH Jakarta.

Socio-Economic Life on Pramuka Island, Thousand Islands, and Its Tourism Potential: A Labor Law Perspective Author: Usman Arifin M, SH, MH Labor Law Consultant – Alumnus of the Master of Law Program, Labor Law Specialization, Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia Abstract, this study examines the dynamics of the socio-economic life of the community on Pramuka Island, part of the Thousand Islands administrative regency, and the potential of its tourism sector from the perspective of labor law. Although tourism has become the backbone of the local economy, labor regulations have not fully accommodated the needs of workers in the informal sector, such as tour guides, homestay operators, and fishers. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected through literature review and semi-structured interviews. The findings highlight the urgency of formulating local labor policies based on tourism zoning, aimed at ensuring the rights of informal workers and supporting sustainable economic development in island regions. Keywords: Pramuka Island, tourism, labor law, informal workers, Thousand Islands

Introduction, school holidays represent a much-anticipated period in which time and the desire to vacation align, offering an opportunity for workers—often burdened by their daily routines—to spend quality time with their families. For this particular holiday, the destination chosen was a location not far from Jakarta, yet markedly different in lifestyle and enriched with marine educational experiences. Pramuka Island, located within the Thousand Islands and part of the Jakarta administrative region, serves not only as a tourism site but also as the regency capital. The name "Pramuka" (meaning "Scout") stems from the frequent scouting activities held on the island before the establishment of the Cibubur Scout Camp in Jakarta. These training sessions occurred between the 1950s and 1970s. During the Old Order era, the island was known as Pulau Lang or Pulau Elang (Eagle Island) due to the abundance of brahminy kites (Haliastur indus), a species now symbolizing the Special Capital Region of Jakarta. These birds gradually disappeared as the island underwent urban development. As the administrative center of the Thousand Islands, Pramuka Island plays a crucial role in the growth of Jakarta’s marine tourism. The local economy is largely supported by the tourism, fisheries, and related service sectors. However, most workers in these sectors remain informal and lack adequate legal protection. This research seeks to assess local labor conditions and explore tourism potential as a basis for formulating labor protection policies. Demographically, the island's permanent residents predominantly belong to the Betawi, Bugis, Bantenese, Madurese, and Minangkabau ethnic groups. Approximately 99.8% of residents identify as Muslim, with a small minority adhering to Catholicism and other religions. The island is accessible by traditional motorboats from Kali Adem Port in Muara Angke, Kapuk Muara Subdistrict, or by speedboat from Marina Ancol in Taman Impian Jaya Ancol. Inter-island travel within the Thousand Islands can be arranged via small chartered boats (ojek perahu), connecting Pramuka to nearby islands such as Panggang, Karya, and Semak Daun. Literature Review 2.1 Socio-Economic Life on Pramuka Island Setiyanti and Sadono (2011) indicate that tourism has positively influenced local income. However, most employment remains informal, involving roles such as homestay operators and tour guides. 2.2 Marine Tourism Potential Pramuka Island offers educational turtle conservation tourism, snorkeling, diving, and conservation tours. Sarma et al. (2022) highlight these assets as foundational for sustainable ecotourism development. 2.3 Labor Law Perspective Based on Law No. 13/2003 on Manpower and the Omnibus Law (Law No. 11/2020), all workers, including those in the informal sector, are entitled to legal protection. However, the implementation of these laws in archipelagic regions remains limited due to regulatory and oversight constraints. Research Methodology, this study employs a descriptive qualitative approach, utilizing literature review and semi-structured interviews as primary data collection methods. Sources include academic publications, local government documents, and interviews with local tourism actors on Pramuka Island. Field observations were also conducted, with five local tourism workers serving as key informants. Data were analyzed thematically to identify labor challenges and opportunities for strengthening local regulations. Discussion, this research explores the socio-economic dynamics of Pramuka Island’s community and its tourism sector potential from a labor law perspective. Although tourism plays a central role in the local economy, labor regulations have not sufficiently addressed the rights of informal workers. Many of these workers, including tour guides and homestay operators, lack written contracts and are not enrolled in social security programs. 1. Characteristics of Work on Pramuka Island The majority of residents are employed as fishers, homestay or culinary operators, and tour guides. Employment is largely informal, with only a small proportion having employment contracts or social security coverage. • Fishers: 35% • Tour Guides: 25% • Homestay/Culinary Operators: 30% Most workers are not members of cooperatives and have no formal employment agreements. 2. Labor Challenges Key challenges to achieving social welfare and industrial harmony include: • Limited registration in the national labor social security scheme (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) • Absence of a local minimum wage system • Lack of work hour regulations • No formal training or certification • No written employment contracts • Non-standardized wages • No occupational safety guarantees • Seasonal and tourism-dependent income instability These issues contribute to economic and social vulnerability among local workers. 3. Potential for Regulatory Implementation The study proposes the following legal and policy measures: • Enactment of a local labor protection regulation (Perda) specific to tourism workers in island regions • Development of a workforce database and training programs in cooperation with the Ministry of Manpower, local government, and Ministry of Tourism • Establishment of local labor cooperatives to facilitate wage and work-hour negotiations • Implementation of professional certification schemes for tour guides and homestay operators Conclusion and Recommendations, Tourism on Pramuka Island holds significant potential as a driver of the local economy. However, the lack of comprehensive labor protection leaves informal workers vulnerable. It is recommended that local governments formulate labor regulations rooted in community needs, supported by local institutions tasked with data collection, training, and advocacy. A labor law–based approach is essential to ensure sustainable and inclusive tourism development in the region. Recommendations: • Enact a regional labor regulation (Perda) for island areas • Create a workforce registry and conduct skill development training for tourism workers • Establish local tourism labor cooperatives • Introduce mandatory certification processes for tour guides and homestay operators Appendix 1: Interview Summary Respondent Occupation Key Issues Legal Protection A Tour guide No employment contract Not registered in BPJS B Homestay owner No formal training No professional certification C Fisher Seasonal income No social security D Food vendor Long, irregular working hours No minimum wage E Snorkeling guide High occupational risks No occupational safety

References 1. Setiyanti, D. W., & Sadono, D. (2011). The Impact of Tourism on Non-Agricultural Business Opportunities and Employment on Pramuka Island. Bogor: Bogor Agricultural University. 2. Sarma, F., Handayani, A., & Rahmi, N. (2022). Marine Tourism Development Strategy on Pramuka Island. Journal of Marine Tourism, 8(2), 125–133. 3. Lubis, R. M. (2012). The Role of Tourism in Enhancing the Local Economy of Pramuka Island. Journal of Regional and Urban Planning, 27(1), 57–68. 4. Law No. 13 of 2003 on Manpower 5. Law No. 11 of 2020 on Job Creation 6. Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia. (2020). Strategic Plan for Labor Protection 2020–2024. 7. Mongabay Indonesia. (2018). Environmental and Societal Conditions on Pramuka Island. Retrieved from https://www.mongabay.co.id