Effectiveness of Sea Employment Agreement (PKL) in Providing Legal Protection for Indonesian Crew Members (Case Study at the Tanjung Priok Main Harbormaster and Port Authority Office)

Abstract

This study examines the effectiveness of the Sea Employment Agreement in providing legal protection for Indonesian crew members, with the Main Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP Utama) of Tanjung Priok as the case study. The research addresses three aspects: the implementation and effectiveness of Sea Employment Agreement, obstacles affecting its effectiveness, and efforts to strengthen its implementation. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach combined with legal research, focusing on the relationship between normative provisions and their practical implementation. Data were obtained through interviews with relevant stakeholders, observation, documentation, and analysis of primary and secondary legal materials. Data were analyzed qualitatively through data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing, supported by source and technique triangulation. The findings indicate that Sea Employment Agreement  implementation at KSOP Utama Tanjung Priok is generally very good, as reflected in structured verification procedures, clear contractual provisions, dissemination of information, fulfillment of crew rights, monitoring, complaint mechanisms, and mediation. However, several manageable obstacles remain, particularly concerning administrative completeness, communication and understanding of contractual provisions, structural and operational factors, complaint procedures, and inter-institutional coordination. The study concludes that strengthening Sea Employment Agreement effectiveness requires an integrated strategy involving standardization of contractual provisions, continuous education, accessible complaint mechanisms, strengthened supervision and coordination, periodic evaluation, and digitalization. These measures can support more consistent, transparent, responsive, and sustainable legal protection for Indonesian crew members within the maritime employment and port service system.