Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Indonesia (Ratification: 1999)

The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in reply to the communication of the ICFTU dated 25 June 2003 containing comments on the application of the Convention by Indonesia. A copy of this communication was forwarded to the Government on 5 September 2003, for comments it wished to make on the matters raised therein.

In its communication, the ICFTU alleges that child labour is widespread in Indonesia and that the education requirements of nine (9) years’ compulsory education are not enforced in practice. Most child labour takes place in informal unregulated activities, such as street vending, agricultural and domestic sectors. According to the ICFTU, however, child labour is pervasive even in formal activities, such as construction, factory employment, mining and fishing.

In reply to the ICFTU’s communication, the Government indicates that child labour is not merely the problem of the Government of Indonesia, since almost all developing countries or even advanced countries face it. Child labour is mainly caused by structural poverty. Moreover, Indonesia, as a developing country, has taken various efforts to eliminate, or at least reduce child labour. For example, continuous efforts to eliminate child labour have been undertaken with the support of the ILO-IPEC Programme in Indonesia. The Government adds that for a developing country like Indonesia, eliminating or reducing child labour is not an easy task since the problems of working children are closely related to other aspects such as poverty, cultural factors and community awareness.

The Committee notes the efforts undertaken by the Government in order to eliminate or at least reduce child labour, in particular those made in collaboration with ILO/IPEC. It invites the Government to increase its efforts in this regard in order to make substantial progress and to provide precise information on the measures taken to combat child labour in practice.

The Committee is also addressing a direct request to the Government concerning other points.