Child laborers' low wages

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The Indonesian Foundation for Child Avocation charged yesterday that children working in offshore fisheries in the region are paid below the daily local minimum wage of Rp 4,500 (US$1.95).

The foundation's litigations coordinator, Marasamin, said that child laborers usually receive less than Rp 50,000 a month. He said the workers are also usually paid only every three months.

"Based on our investigation at one of the offshore fisheries located about eight miles off the Labu coast, the average monthly wage is Rp 30,000 a month," he said as quoted by Antara.

He said many children run away from the fisheries because they cannot stand the hardship. Attempts to escape are very dangerous because the children are often forced to drift in the sea for several days before they are picked up. (mds)