Atma Jaya Research Center, a university-based research institution.
For over 25 years the center has been engaged in national and international-sponsored
research projects. Almost all the conducted studies are interdisciplinary
in nature and directed to provide policy action in a number of development
programmes. Since 1993 the centre has put issues on child labour
as one of the centre main areas of concern.
In 1993, the Atma Jaya Research Center conducted a research on
the topic: "Child Labour in three Metropolitan Cities: Jakarta,
Surabaya, Medan." This study was sponsored through IPEC and
Unicef and the aim was to help the Coordinating Minister of Social
Welfare to implement policies for better welfare of children and
their families. The study provided us with a summary of the most
recent secondary data on child labour force participation in Indonesia.
Further the study provided descriptive information on differences
and similarities in the nature of child labour in three metropolitan
cities and provided in-depth qualitative information on several
cases of child labour in formal as well as informal employment.
Based on the analyses of the data composite anecdotal profiles of
working children and their families were constructed and information
was provided on the perceptions of key persons in the government
and NGOs with regard to the issues and problems of child labour.
Under biennium 1994/1995 another collaboration with IPEC established.
Atma Jaya entrusted to identify and map the child labour in hazardous
occupations. 200 working children were interviewed and examined
by assigned medical doctors during the study. The children are street
hawkers in DKI Jakarta, children working in the dumpsite in Bekasi
(West Java), children employed in Jermal operations in Kabupaten
Deli Serdang (North Sumatra), children engaged in sea-fishing in
Kendal (Central Java), children participated in deep-sea pearl diving
in sub district of Pulau-Pulau Aru (Southeast Maluku). The study
gives a very clear description of the profile of the children working
in those different informal sectors, the hazardous conditions and
health problems, and also provides a good framework for other Action
Programme to eliminate hazardous working condition for children.
The study is very important in order to reduce the barrier for children
to follow and to continue education. Under biennium 1996/1997 the
Atma Jaya Research Centre also entrusted with YKB by IPEC to conduct
a research study on child prostitution in Jakarta, Bandung (West
Java) and Banyuwangi and Surabaya (East Java).
The Atma Jaya University considered as one of competent implementing
agency in doing research.
