Child advocates file lawsuit

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)