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Abstract
The nature of private law is strongly embedded in dismissal cases. For this reason, human rights standards are rarely applied in the settlement of such cases in court. However, the Martinus Masa Dorita v. PT Musim Mas case demonstrated a different practice. Particularly in the court of first instance, the judges explicitly considered human rights law, resulting in a judgment that contrasted with the parties’ claims. In spite of the fact that the Supreme Court annulled the decision of the court of first instance, the presence of human rights argumentation in the journey of the case remains important to explore. By analyzing judges’ reasoning in the court decisions for the case, this doctrinal legal research developed a legal methodology for the application of human rights standards in dismissal cases. We found that the judges have made human rights standards work by reinterpreting pre-existing employment law provisions that govern employee-employer relations using an impact-oriented reasoning method. This work contributes to a greater understanding of how judges can put human rights law to work when developing their reasoning for dismissal cases. Based on the case, human rights-based reasoning enables judges to provide vigorous protection of workers’ human rights and deliver substantive justice. We argue that human rights considerations enable courts to create equilibrium in unequal employee-employer relations.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Sahid Hadi, Vania Lutfi Safira Erlangga
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References
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Bahshaw, Roderick. “Tort Design and Human Rights Thinking.” In The Impact of the UK Human Rights Act on Private Law, edited by David Hoffman. Cambridge University Press, 2011.
Barak, Aharon. “Constitutional Human Rights and Private Law.” Review of Constitutional Studies 3 (1996): 218–81.
———. “Constitutional Human Rights and Private Law.” In Human Rights in Private Law, edited by Daniel Friedman and Daphne Barak-Erez. Portland: Hart Publishing, 2001.
Biggar, Nigel, ed. Burying the Past: Making Peace and Doing Justice After Civil Conflict. Georgetown University Press, 2003.
Bosland, Jason John, and Ashleigh Bagnall. “An Empirical Analysis of Suppression Orders in the Victorian Courts: 2008-12.” Sydney Law Review 35 (2013): 671–702.
Bukspan, Eli, and Asa Kasher. “Human Rights in the Private Sphere: Corporation First.” University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law 40, no. 2 (2019): 419–64. https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/jil/vol40/iss2/3.
Busby, Nicole, and Morag McDermont. “Fighting with the Wind: Claimants’ Experiences and Perceptions of the Employment Tribunal.” Industrial Law Journal 49, no. 2 (2020): 159–98. https://doi.org/10.1093/indlaw/dwz018.
Caka, Fjoralba, and Nada Dollani. “Horizontal Application of Fundamental Rights and General Principles in Private Disputes: An Albanian Perspective.” In The European Convention on Human Rights and Private Law. Comparative Perspective from South-Eastern Europe, edited by Mateja Durovic and Cristina Poncibò, 91–113. Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2024.
“CESCR General Comment No.5: Persons with Disabilities.” UN.Doc. E/1995/22, 1994.
“CESCR General Comment No.18: The Right to Work.” UN.Doc. E/C.12/GC/18, 2006.
“CESCR General Comment No.24: State Obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in the Context of Business Activities.” UN.Doc.E/C.12/GC/24, 2017.
Cherednychenko, Olha O. “Fundamental Rights and Private Law: A Relationship of Subordination or Complementarity?” Utrecht Law Review 3, no. 2 (2007): 1–25. https://doi.org/DOI: 10.18352/ulr.45.
———. “Fundamental Rights, Contract Law, and the Protection of the Weaker Party. A Comparative Analysis of the Constitutionalisation of Contract Law, with Emphasis on Risky Financial Transaction.” Ph.D. Thesis, Utrecht University, 2007.
Ciacchi, Aurelia Colombi. “European Fundamental Rights, Private Law, and Judicial Governance.” In Constitutionalization of European Private Law: XII/2, edited by Hans Micklitz, Online edition., 102–36. Oxford: Oxford Academic, 2014.
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UN.Doc.A/RES/61/106 § (2006).
“Dwi Ariyani v. Perusahaan Maskapai Etihad Airways Cq General Manager Etihad Airways Indonesia, PT Jasa Angkasa Semesta, Dan Kementerian Perhubungan RI Cq Direktorat Jenderal Perhubungan Udara.” Putusan Nomor 846/Pdt.G/2016/PN Jkt.Sel, 2016.
Ehrenreich, Nancy. “Foreword: Conceptualizing Substantive Justice.” The Journal of Gender, Race & Justice 13, no. 3 (2010): 533–74.
Engle, Eric. “Third Party Effect of Fundamental Rights (Drittwirkung).” Hanse Law Review 5, no. 2 (2009): 165–73.
Ferrone, Vincenzo. “The Rights of History: Enlightenment and Human Rights.” Human Rights Quarterly 39, no. 1 (2017): 130–41.
Hadi, Sahid, and Vania Lutfi Safira Erlangga. “Why Do Domestic Court Judges Disregard Human Rights Law in Dismissal Cases? A Discourse Analysis of Indonesian Judges’ Attitudes,” 2025.
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———, ed. The Impact of the UK Human Rights Act on Private Law. Cambridge University Press, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511920844.
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———. Law No.8 of 2016 on Persons With Disabilities (2016).
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“Ir. Chandralika v. PT Musi Hutan Persada,” Putusan Nomor 127/Pdt.Sus-PHI/2020/PN.Plg., 2020.
Klare, Karl, and M. Davis. “Transformative Constitutionalism and the Common and Customary Law.” South African Journal on Human Rights 26, no. 3 (2010): 403–509.
Klare, Karl E. “Legal Culture and Transformative Constitutionalism.” South African Journal on Human Rights 14, no. 1 (1997): 146–88. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/02587203.1998.11834974.
Lane, Lottie. “The Horizontal Effect of International Human Rights Law in Practice.” European Journal of Comparative Law and Governance 5, no. 1 (2018): 5–88. https://doi.org/10.1163/22134514-00501001.
Leawoods, Heather. “Gustav Radbruch: An Extraordinary Legal Philosopher.” Washington University Journal of Law & Policy 2, no. 1 (2000): 489–515.
Lundmark, Thomas. Universal of Legal Reasoning by Judges. A Plea for Condour in Decision-Making. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2024.
Mantouvalou, Virginia. Structural Injustice and Workers’ Rights. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2023.
“Martinus Masa Dorita v. PT Musim Mas.” Putusan Nomor 53/Pdt.Sus-PHI/2018/PN.Pbr., 2024.
Mishra, Anumeha. “State-Centric Approach to Human Rights: Exploring Human Rights Obligations.” Revue Quebecoise de Droit International 39, no. December Special Issue (December 1, 2019): 49–66. https://doi.org/10.7202/1068731AR.
Möllers, Thomas M.J. Legal Methods. How to Work With Legal Arguments. English Translation. Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2020.
Navarretta, Emanuela, and Elena Bargelli. “The Influence of Human Rights and Basic Rights in Italian Private Law: Strategies of ‘Constitutionalisation’ in the Courts Practice.” In The Influence of Human Rights and Basic Rights in Private Law, edited by Verica Trstenjak and Petra Weingerl. Springer, 2011.
Oliver, Hazel. “Employment Law.” In The Impact of the UK Human Rights Act on Private Law, edited by David Hoffman. Cambridge University Press, 2011.
Presidential Regulation No. 60 of 2023 on the National Strategy for Business and Human Rights (n.d.).
“PT Musi Hutan Persada v. Ir. Chandralika,” Putusan Nomor 969K/Pdt.Sus-PHI/2020, 2021.
“PT Musim Mas v. Martinus Masa Dorita.” Putusan Nomor 1008K/Pdt.Sus-PHI/2020, 2020.
R v Sussex Justices, ex parte McCarthy (1924).
Radbruch, Gustav. The Legal Philosophies of Lask, Radbruch, and Dabin. Edited by Kurt Wilk. English translation. Harvard University Press, 2013. https://doi.org/10.4159/harvard.9780674493025.
Ruggie, John Gerard. Just Business. Multinational Corporations and Human Rights. W.W. Norton & Company, 2013.
Shelton, Dinah. Remedies in International Human Rights Law. Third. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015.
Shidarta. “Human Rights Legal Reasoning in Private Cases.” In International Human Rights and Local Courts. Human Rights Interpretation in Indonesia, edited by Aksel Tømte and Eko Riyadi. Oxon & New York: Routledge, 2024.
Shidarta, Shidarta, Stijn Cornelis van Huis, and Eko Riyadi. “How Do Indonesian Judges Approach Human Rights in Private Law Cases ? A Comparative Exploration.” Journal of East Asia & International Law 15, no. 2 (2022): 293–313. https://doi.org/10.14330/jeail.2022.15.2.04.
Stǎnescu, Cǎtǎlin-Gabriel, and Asress Adimi Gikay, eds. Discrimination, Vulnerable Consumers, and Financial Inclusion. Fair Access to Financial Services and the Law. London & New York: Routledge, 2021.
“Tentang Musim Mas.” Accessed January 12, 2025. https://www.musimmas.com/about-us/?lang=id.
Trstenjak, Verica. “General Report: The Influence of Human Rights and Basic Rights in Private Law.” In The Influence of Human Rights and Basic Rights in Private Law, edited by Verica Trstenjak and Petra Weingerl. Springer, 2016.
Undang-Undang Dasar Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 1945 (2002).
“United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Implementing the United Nations ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework.” UN.Doc.HR/PUB/11/04, 2011.
Varuhas, N.E. Damages and Human Rights. Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2016.
Vogler, Ralf. “Rules of Interpretation – Qualitative Research in Tourism by Incorporating Legal Science Canons.” Current Issues in Tourism 26, no. 8 (2023): 1214–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2022.2122783.
Young, Alison L. “Mapping Horizontal Effect.” In The Impact of the UK Human Rights Act on Private Law, edited by David Hoffman, 16–47. Cambridge University Press, 2011.
Zitzke, Emile. “A Decolonial Critique of Private Law and Human Rights.” South African Journal on Human Rights 34, no. 3 (September 2, 2018): 492–516. https://doi.org/10.1080/02587203.2018.1543836.
References
Adriaan Bedner. “Epilogue.” In International Human Rights and Local Courts. Human Rights Interpretation in Indonesia, edited by Aksel Tømte and Eko Riyadi, 156–71. Oxon & New York: Routledge, 2024.
Anisah, Siti, and Sahid Hadi. “The Human Right to a Fair Trial in Competition Law Enforcement Procedures: A Rising Issue in Indonesian Experiences.” Laws 12, no. 3 (June 1, 2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/laws12030055.
Bahshaw, Roderick. “Tort Design and Human Rights Thinking.” In The Impact of the UK Human Rights Act on Private Law, edited by David Hoffman. Cambridge University Press, 2011.
Barak, Aharon. “Constitutional Human Rights and Private Law.” Review of Constitutional Studies 3 (1996): 218–81.
———. “Constitutional Human Rights and Private Law.” In Human Rights in Private Law, edited by Daniel Friedman and Daphne Barak-Erez. Portland: Hart Publishing, 2001.
Biggar, Nigel, ed. Burying the Past: Making Peace and Doing Justice After Civil Conflict. Georgetown University Press, 2003.
Bosland, Jason John, and Ashleigh Bagnall. “An Empirical Analysis of Suppression Orders in the Victorian Courts: 2008-12.” Sydney Law Review 35 (2013): 671–702.
Bukspan, Eli, and Asa Kasher. “Human Rights in the Private Sphere: Corporation First.” University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law 40, no. 2 (2019): 419–64. https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/jil/vol40/iss2/3.
Busby, Nicole, and Morag McDermont. “Fighting with the Wind: Claimants’ Experiences and Perceptions of the Employment Tribunal.” Industrial Law Journal 49, no. 2 (2020): 159–98. https://doi.org/10.1093/indlaw/dwz018.
Caka, Fjoralba, and Nada Dollani. “Horizontal Application of Fundamental Rights and General Principles in Private Disputes: An Albanian Perspective.” In The European Convention on Human Rights and Private Law. Comparative Perspective from South-Eastern Europe, edited by Mateja Durovic and Cristina Poncibò, 91–113. Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2024.
“CESCR General Comment No.5: Persons with Disabilities.” UN.Doc. E/1995/22, 1994.
“CESCR General Comment No.18: The Right to Work.” UN.Doc. E/C.12/GC/18, 2006.
“CESCR General Comment No.24: State Obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in the Context of Business Activities.” UN.Doc.E/C.12/GC/24, 2017.
Cherednychenko, Olha O. “Fundamental Rights and Private Law: A Relationship of Subordination or Complementarity?” Utrecht Law Review 3, no. 2 (2007): 1–25. https://doi.org/DOI: 10.18352/ulr.45.
———. “Fundamental Rights, Contract Law, and the Protection of the Weaker Party. A Comparative Analysis of the Constitutionalisation of Contract Law, with Emphasis on Risky Financial Transaction.” Ph.D. Thesis, Utrecht University, 2007.
Ciacchi, Aurelia Colombi. “European Fundamental Rights, Private Law, and Judicial Governance.” In Constitutionalization of European Private Law: XII/2, edited by Hans Micklitz, Online edition., 102–36. Oxford: Oxford Academic, 2014.
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UN.Doc.A/RES/61/106 § (2006).
“Dwi Ariyani v. Perusahaan Maskapai Etihad Airways Cq General Manager Etihad Airways Indonesia, PT Jasa Angkasa Semesta, Dan Kementerian Perhubungan RI Cq Direktorat Jenderal Perhubungan Udara.” Putusan Nomor 846/Pdt.G/2016/PN Jkt.Sel, 2016.
Ehrenreich, Nancy. “Foreword: Conceptualizing Substantive Justice.” The Journal of Gender, Race & Justice 13, no. 3 (2010): 533–74.
Engle, Eric. “Third Party Effect of Fundamental Rights (Drittwirkung).” Hanse Law Review 5, no. 2 (2009): 165–73.
Ferrone, Vincenzo. “The Rights of History: Enlightenment and Human Rights.” Human Rights Quarterly 39, no. 1 (2017): 130–41.
Hadi, Sahid, and Vania Lutfi Safira Erlangga. “Why Do Domestic Court Judges Disregard Human Rights Law in Dismissal Cases? A Discourse Analysis of Indonesian Judges’ Attitudes,” 2025.
Hoffman, David. “Conclusion.” In The Impact of the UK Human Rights Act on Private Law, edited by David Hoffman, 379–81. Cambridge University Press, 2011.
———, ed. The Impact of the UK Human Rights Act on Private Law. Cambridge University Press, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511920844.
Indonesia, Central Government. Government Regulation No. 60 of 2020 on Disability Service Units in the Employment Sector (2020).
———. Law No.8 of 2016 on Persons With Disabilities (2016).
Indonesia, Ministry of Manpower. Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 21 of 2020 on Guidelines for the Implementation of Disability Service Units in the Employment Sector (2020).
“Ir. Chandralika v. PT Musi Hutan Persada,” Putusan Nomor 127/Pdt.Sus-PHI/2020/PN.Plg., 2020.
Klare, Karl, and M. Davis. “Transformative Constitutionalism and the Common and Customary Law.” South African Journal on Human Rights 26, no. 3 (2010): 403–509.
Klare, Karl E. “Legal Culture and Transformative Constitutionalism.” South African Journal on Human Rights 14, no. 1 (1997): 146–88. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/02587203.1998.11834974.
Lane, Lottie. “The Horizontal Effect of International Human Rights Law in Practice.” European Journal of Comparative Law and Governance 5, no. 1 (2018): 5–88. https://doi.org/10.1163/22134514-00501001.
Leawoods, Heather. “Gustav Radbruch: An Extraordinary Legal Philosopher.” Washington University Journal of Law & Policy 2, no. 1 (2000): 489–515.
Lundmark, Thomas. Universal of Legal Reasoning by Judges. A Plea for Condour in Decision-Making. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2024.
Mantouvalou, Virginia. Structural Injustice and Workers’ Rights. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2023.
“Martinus Masa Dorita v. PT Musim Mas.” Putusan Nomor 53/Pdt.Sus-PHI/2018/PN.Pbr., 2024.
Mishra, Anumeha. “State-Centric Approach to Human Rights: Exploring Human Rights Obligations.” Revue Quebecoise de Droit International 39, no. December Special Issue (December 1, 2019): 49–66. https://doi.org/10.7202/1068731AR.
Möllers, Thomas M.J. Legal Methods. How to Work With Legal Arguments. English Translation. Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2020.
Navarretta, Emanuela, and Elena Bargelli. “The Influence of Human Rights and Basic Rights in Italian Private Law: Strategies of ‘Constitutionalisation’ in the Courts Practice.” In The Influence of Human Rights and Basic Rights in Private Law, edited by Verica Trstenjak and Petra Weingerl. Springer, 2011.
Oliver, Hazel. “Employment Law.” In The Impact of the UK Human Rights Act on Private Law, edited by David Hoffman. Cambridge University Press, 2011.
Presidential Regulation No. 60 of 2023 on the National Strategy for Business and Human Rights (n.d.).
“PT Musi Hutan Persada v. Ir. Chandralika,” Putusan Nomor 969K/Pdt.Sus-PHI/2020, 2021.
“PT Musim Mas v. Martinus Masa Dorita.” Putusan Nomor 1008K/Pdt.Sus-PHI/2020, 2020.
R v Sussex Justices, ex parte McCarthy (1924).
Radbruch, Gustav. The Legal Philosophies of Lask, Radbruch, and Dabin. Edited by Kurt Wilk. English translation. Harvard University Press, 2013. https://doi.org/10.4159/harvard.9780674493025.
Ruggie, John Gerard. Just Business. Multinational Corporations and Human Rights. W.W. Norton & Company, 2013.
Shelton, Dinah. Remedies in International Human Rights Law. Third. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015.
Shidarta. “Human Rights Legal Reasoning in Private Cases.” In International Human Rights and Local Courts. Human Rights Interpretation in Indonesia, edited by Aksel Tømte and Eko Riyadi. Oxon & New York: Routledge, 2024.
Shidarta, Shidarta, Stijn Cornelis van Huis, and Eko Riyadi. “How Do Indonesian Judges Approach Human Rights in Private Law Cases ? A Comparative Exploration.” Journal of East Asia & International Law 15, no. 2 (2022): 293–313. https://doi.org/10.14330/jeail.2022.15.2.04.
Stǎnescu, Cǎtǎlin-Gabriel, and Asress Adimi Gikay, eds. Discrimination, Vulnerable Consumers, and Financial Inclusion. Fair Access to Financial Services and the Law. London & New York: Routledge, 2021.
“Tentang Musim Mas.” Accessed January 12, 2025. https://www.musimmas.com/about-us/?lang=id.
Trstenjak, Verica. “General Report: The Influence of Human Rights and Basic Rights in Private Law.” In The Influence of Human Rights and Basic Rights in Private Law, edited by Verica Trstenjak and Petra Weingerl. Springer, 2016.
Undang-Undang Dasar Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 1945 (2002).
“United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Implementing the United Nations ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework.” UN.Doc.HR/PUB/11/04, 2011.
Varuhas, N.E. Damages and Human Rights. Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2016.
Vogler, Ralf. “Rules of Interpretation – Qualitative Research in Tourism by Incorporating Legal Science Canons.” Current Issues in Tourism 26, no. 8 (2023): 1214–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2022.2122783.
Young, Alison L. “Mapping Horizontal Effect.” In The Impact of the UK Human Rights Act on Private Law, edited by David Hoffman, 16–47. Cambridge University Press, 2011.
Zitzke, Emile. “A Decolonial Critique of Private Law and Human Rights.” South African Journal on Human Rights 34, no. 3 (September 2, 2018): 492–516. https://doi.org/10.1080/02587203.2018.1543836.