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)