Soeharto for kids helping parents<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday that
\nIndonesian children working to help their parents were not the
\nsame as what Western countries regarded as child labor.<\/p>\n
Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief met with President Soeharto
\nyesterday to discuss the problem of child labor. Latief said
\nIndonesia had its own policy regarding the issue, including
\nsending children through a compulsory nine-year education
\nprogram, even though many had to work.<\/p>\n
Latief proudly cited his own experiences, working since the
\nage of four when his father died: "I had already sold newspapers
\nwhen I was seven."<\/p>\n
Indonesia and the World Labour Organization (ILO) will on
\nMarch 13 sign a five-year joint program to help send more
\nchildren to school, whilst dealing with their obligation to work.<\/p>\n
The program is also expected to come up with ways to better
\nprotect the rights of the children.<\/p>\n
Latief, leaving soon to join the ILO conference as a member of
\nits governing body, said it was customary for Indonesian children
\nto help their families.<\/p>\n
The tradition was considered a dedication toward parents, not
\na form of free labor as viewed by many Western states, he said.<\/p>\n
"Of course, it is wrong for the child to work to the point
\nwhere he cannot go to school but the tasks assigned to the child
\nshould suit his or her abilities like delivering newspapers,
\nhelping to mind the store or food stall," he said.<\/p>\n
Child labor is defined as children working like adults, paying
\nfor their own economic or family's needs, not just children
\nearning pocket money.<\/p>\n
A recent ILO report said 9.55 percent of Indonesian children
\nbetween 10 and 14 years worked. This meant Indonesia had as many
\nas five million child workers, including 400,000 in Jakarta, many
\nof whom are subjected to dangerous chemical and biological
\nhazards, which will often affect their growth.<\/p>\n
During yesterday's meeting, Latief also discussed his
\nministry's proposal to provide women factory workers, including
\npregnant women, with iron tablets. Ministry reports have shown
\nmany Indonesian women experience low iron levels. (01)<\/p>",
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