Soeharto for kids helping parents

Soeharto for kids helping parents

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday that
Indonesian children working to help their parents were not the
same as what Western countries regarded as child labor.

Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief met with President Soeharto
yesterday to discuss the problem of child labor. Latief said
Indonesia had its own policy regarding the issue, including
sending children through a compulsory nine-year education
program, even though many had to work.

Latief proudly cited his own experiences, working since the
age of four when his father died: "I had already sold newspapers
when I was seven."

Indonesia and the World Labour Organization (ILO) will on
March 13 sign a five-year joint program to help send more
children to school, whilst dealing with their obligation to work.

The program is also expected to come up with ways to better
protect the rights of the children.

Latief, leaving soon to join the ILO conference as a member of
its governing body, said it was customary for Indonesian children
to help their families.

The tradition was considered a dedication toward parents, not
a form of free labor as viewed by many Western states, he said.

"Of course, it is wrong for the child to work to the point
where he cannot go to school but the tasks assigned to the child
should suit his or her abilities like delivering newspapers,
helping to mind the store or food stall," he said.

Child labor is defined as children working like adults, paying
for their own economic or family's needs, not just children
earning pocket money.

A recent ILO report said 9.55 percent of Indonesian children
between 10 and 14 years worked. This meant Indonesia had as many
as five million child workers, including 400,000 in Jakarta, many
of whom are subjected to dangerous chemical and biological
hazards, which will often affect their growth.

During yesterday's meeting, Latief also discussed his
ministry's proposal to provide women factory workers, including
pregnant women, with iron tablets. Ministry reports have shown
many Indonesian women experience low iron levels. (01)