Child advocates file lawsuit

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The local branch of the Indonesian Institute for Child Advocacy has filed a lawsuit against a fishing company for neglecting its child workers.

Ahmad Sofyan, an executive of the institute, said yesterday that the company, Harapan Jaya, has allegedly treated four of its child workers "inhumanely".

Ahmad said the children's parents supported the institute's move, Antara reported.

The four children managed to escape on Sept. 27 from an island where the company operates jermal, fish traps consisting of closely spaced stakes which the fish get caught in when the tide goes out.

They were rescued by a passing fishing boat in the Malacca Strait after they floated around together holding onto a plank.

"The parents are very unhappy with the way the company treated their children," Ahmad said.

The four child laborers are identified as Adi, 16, Inan, 16, Harun, 16 and Mistriadi, 17. (pan)