Social Protection Gap for Blue-Collar Gig Workers in Indonesia: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

The rise of the digital economy in Indonesia has significantly increased the number of gig workers, particularly blue-collar workers in sectors such as transportation, construction, logistics, and mining. While offering flexibility, this employment pattern creates new vulnerabilities, including a substantial social protection gap characterized by limited access to social security, health insurance, occupational accident coverage, and income security. This study aims to map the social protection gap among blue-collar gig workers in Indonesia through a PRISMA-based Systematic Literature Review (SLR). Major databases including Scopus and Google Scholar were searched for publications between 2015 and 2025, with inclusion criteria covering studies on gig work, social protection, and the Indonesian context. The analysis reveals that most labor and welfare policies remain oriented toward formal workers, leaving blue-collar gig workers largely excluded from comprehensive protection schemes. Despite the rapid expansion of platform-based employment, existing regulations have not been sufficiently adapted to address non-standard forms of work. Policy implementation also faces structural challenges such as fragmented responsibilities among institutions, uneven platform compliance, and workers’ limited awareness of rights and entitlements. Furthermore, disparities in coverage across sectors highlight the urgent need for context-specific strategies that address the heterogeneity of gig workers’ experiences. This study highlights the critical urgency of evidence-based policy reform to extend social protection coverage, while also underscoring the necessity of stronger collaboration among government bodies, digital labor platforms, and worker organizations. Academically, the findings contribute to the discourse on labor transitions in the digital era and provide a foundation for comparative studies across developing economies. Practically, the results inform policymakers and stakeholders in designing inclusive and sustainable social protection systems that safeguard vulnerable workers in Indonesia’s evolving digital economy.