Many people know child labour in its urban such
as in the formal sectors (in factories or industrial form) and informal
sectors (working on the streets, working in the house, etc). However,
most working children can be found in rural areas. Worldwide, but
also in Indonesia, they represent about 70% of the total number
of working children. Most of them working for the family owned plantation.
One of the most dangerous occupations
Occupational health and safety experts consider
agriculture to be among the most dangerous of occupations. The hazards
children face, include:
n Climatic
exposure n Work that is too heavy for
young bodies nAccidents such as cuts from
sharpened tools nUse of toxic chemicals and n motorized equipment in more
modern agriculture, usually without the benefit of training or safety
precautions nexposure to organic dusts
Poor access to health facilities and education
In many countries the hazards and risks to health
are compounded by poor access to health facilities and education,
poor housing and sanitation, and the inadequate diet of rural workers.
Primary school enrolment rates are often lower for children who
work in agriculture. Even if children attend school, their long
working hours leave them exhausted and their studies neglected.
Legal protection
Workers in agriculture, for example plantation
workers, have no labour rights at all. They work long hours, 7 days
a week, without any leave days. They usually are paid by the kilo
of picked leaves, or by rubber tapped tree. Children tend to assist
their parents to meet their daily target, but often are not registered
as an employee themselves.
Inspection visits are rare, because:
n the places
where children work often are family undertakings n the agriculture industry
is geographically dispersed
Children working in agriculture in Indonesia
Many children assist their parents in agricultural
family businesses. As long as the work is not hazardous and they
do not work too long hours, children under 15 work a few hours and
can attend school, there is no problem. However, many children are
used as an economic asset by their parents, they work long hours,
carry heavy loads, spray pesticides and do not attend school. Another
form is children assisting their parents as workers in agricultural
businesses of others, for example plantations.
NGO works together with Kyai to remove children
from work in plantations
In the tea and rubber plantations in East Java,
many children work to assist their parents meeting their daily targets
or earning some extra money. In the rubber plantations children
work in the night to early morning to tap the trees. Most of them
dropped out of primary school or did not continue after. NGO Paramitra
in Malang, East Java, is supported by IPEC to combat child labour
in the plantations in East Java. Since the area is strictly religious
and the people obey their religious leaders, the Kyai, Paramitra
managed to involve the Kyai. Parents were convinced of the importance
of education, and an agreement was reached to send their children
at least 3 days a week to school. Next to the Pesantren, a special
school building was set up, to provide non-formal education and
vocational training to these children.
