Fewer child workers in Bandung

Fewer child workers in Bandung

BANDUNG, West Java: The number of child workers in Bandung's shoe industry in Cibaduyut has dropped by more than 97 percent in four years, from 10,046 children in 1999 to 256 this year.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) representative in Bandung Abdul Hakim said that the biggest fall occurred between 1999 and 2000, from 9,187 workers to 859.

"The reason for the drop was clearly the economic crisis, which caused many shoe factories to close. But there is also a growing awareness among companies not to hire underaged employees," Abdul said.

He said the employment of children had since fallen to 357 in 2001 and 256 today. Abdul however added that some of the 256 children were still working under poor conditions.

A doctor from the Ulil Albab foundation, Susanto, said workers in the shoe industry were at risk of developing illnesses like bronchitis, kidney problems, and, in the long term, leukemia due to close contact with hazardous chemicals. -- Antara