Children exploited by criminals

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Children below the age of 14 are being used by criminals to collect money for "good works", Antara reported yesterday.

Young girls equipped with a letter of recommendation and receipts appear wearing trousers and Islamic head-scarves. They operate in residential areas, offices and restaurants.

A worker by the name of Ningsih told Antara that she works in two shifts and earns between Rp 17,000 and Rp 21,000 a day -- Rp 8,000 of which is submitted to the "boss."

Chief of the Moslem Affairs Section of the Provincial Religious Office Dahlan Tangkaderi says that syndicates are behind this.

"I have encountered some of these children myself, they often bring along a regent's or a governor's recommendation," Dahlan said. (14)