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