Minister Dhakiri said cooperation from relevant stakeholders is needed to carry out the child labor withdrawal program smoothly. These stakeholders include the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, local governments, non-governmental organizations, the International Labor Organization (ILO), the United Workers/workers and employers associations.
"Efforts to accelerate the withdrawal of children from the labor force should involve all relevant sectors. Therefore, we continue to work together with various government agencies, businesses and industry, trade unions, parents and the general public," assured Hanif.
Since 2008-2015, the ministry has ensured withdrawal of 63,663 child laborers from workforce and sent them to school.
The ministry also stated that June 2016 was being observed as the Campaign Against Child Labor month, and was targeting working children and school dropouts who come from very poor households. These children fall in the age bracket of 7-15 years.
The program is expected to protect children lest they slip into the dangerous underbelly and fall prey to slavery, prostitution, pornography, gambling or drugs.
Thanks to these programs, Indonesia plans to achieve its target to become a child labor free country by 2022.
"These child laborers are to be pulled out from workforce and made to undergo a special assistance program for four months before returning to school," the minister explained.
Hanif asserted that the government has adopted a special approach to prohibit school-age children from working.
The minister also called on all parties to participate and help in saving child laborers by not forcing children to work for any reason. The employers, parents and the surrounding community must play their due role in this endeavor.
The industrial area around Indonesia is also a priority target for child labor-free program and is strictly forbidden from recruiting and employing children.
"The employers, parents and the community should know and be aware that under the Child Protection Act, employing minors is prohibited, especially in dangerous and hazardous jobs," warned Hanif.
The ministry also encourages the public to report any violations to the local employment office.
"Violation of child labor regulation must be stopped," he stressed.
Withdrawal of child labor is part of the commitment that Indonesia made in order to implement the ILO Convention No. 138 concerning the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and No.182 concerning the Immediate Prohibition and Elimination Act of the Worst Forms of Child Labor.
The government has ratified both the ILO conventions through Law No. 20 of 1999 and Law No. 1 of 2000, respectively.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
