Legal Protection for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Following the Enactment of Law Number 6 of 2023 on Job Creation

Abstract

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a strategic role in national economic development by creating employment, increasing household income, and promoting economic equality. To support MSME development, the government enacted Law Number 6 of 2023 on Job Creation, which facilitates business licensing, financing access, and enterprise empowerment. Nevertheless, its implementation continues to face problems that may obstruct effective legal protection for MSME operators. This study aims to analyze the normative framework of MSME legal protection under Law Number 6 of 2023 on Job Creation and assess its effectiveness after the law's enactment through Case Decision Number 02/KPPU-K/2023. It employs normative legal research using statutory, conceptual, and case approaches. Secondary data comprising primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials are analyzed qualitatively and presented descriptively and analytically. The findings indicate that the legal protection framework under Law Number 6 of 2023 encompasses simplified risk-based licensing, financing facilitation, business empowerment, partnerships, and safeguards against unfair business competition. These provisions reflect preventive and repressive legal protection as articulated in legal protection theory. Furthermore, Case Decision Number 02/KPPU-K/2023 illustrates the important role of competition law enforcement in maintaining a healthy business environment and protecting MSMEs against conduct that could undermine their market position. Nevertheless, stronger supervision, increased legal literacy among MSME operators, and consistent law enforcement remain necessary to achieve optimal legal protection.