In Indonesia, stakeholders are stepping up to safeguard children’s well-being and future, advancing labour practices through agricultural labour guidelines.
In the heart of Indonesia’s agricultural landscape, a significant change is underway. One that could shape the future of millions of children and families across the country. On October 30, 2024, Indonesia introduced the ‘Labor Practices for Tackling Child Labor: Guidelines for Companies and Supply Chains in the Agricultural Sector’. These guidelines developed in collaboration with government, private sector and civil society partners consolidate international and national regulations into actionable steps designed to protect children’s rights and foster safer, fairer working conditions in agriculture.
The Challenge of Child Labour in Indonesian Agriculture
Agricultural is a cornerstone of Indonesia’s economy, contributing to 13.5% of the GDP in 2023 and employing over 38 millions people, which accounts for 27.52% of the national workforce (Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, 2023). However, this sector is also where many children become entangled in labour. In 2021, 1.05 million children were engaged in child labour, often under hazardous conditions that pose significant risks to their health and development (BPS, 2021), with 27.6% of them working in agriculture. Denied education and childhood, these children are locked into a cycle of poverty that hinders both their future and the nation’s economic and social progress. The recently launched guidelines mark a critical step forward by providing a practical approach for protecting children and addressing the underlying factors that drive child labour in the sector.
A Collaborative Framework to Protect Children
The guidelines were developed through a concerted effort led by the Partnership for Actions against Child Labour in Agriculture (PAACLA) Indonesia, in collaboration with the Ministries of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS), Manpower, and Law and Human Rights. Over the course of several months, the consultation process brought together leaders from key industries - such as cocoa, palm oil and tobacco - as well as NGOs like the ECLT Foundation, JARAK, ILO and Save the Children, all aligned toward a shared goal: a child-labour-free agricultural sector.
From these discussions, a framework emerged, designed to guide businesses in eradicating child labour within their operations and supply chains. This blueprint sets out practical steps for developing systems to prevent, monitor, and address child labour, in line with national regulations and the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Reflecting the commitment of all stakeholders to advancing sustainable, fair labour practices, this framework exemplifies the transformative power of a coordinated, multi-sector approach in addressing human rights challenges in agriculture.
Promoting Labour Rights to End Child Labour
Child labour in agricultural communities often stems from economic necessity, with families relying on every available hand to make ends meet. Strengthening adult workers’ rights is crucial to alleviating this pressure. When workers’ rights are upheld, families become less dependent on children’s contributions. In short, child labour is not only a child rights issue – it is a labour rights issue too. The guidelines, built around seven core principles, aim to foster safe and healthy work environments. They advocate for a living wage, social protection, and worker’s rights to collective bargaining and freedom of association, while establishing a strict zero-tolerance policy for child labour and forced labour. Collectively, these guiding measures provide companies with a clear and actionable framework to adopt fair labour practices across their operations. By including standards for wages, working conditions, and hours, this framework provide a comprehensive approach that not only enforces a strict no-child-labour policy but also addresses the underlying factors that often force workers to rely on their children.
ECLT’s Commitment to Lasting Change
For nearly two decades, ECLT has collaborated with governments, communities and industries to combat child labour in agriculture globally. This year, ECLT contributed technical expertise, resources and capacity-building efforts to aid in the development of the guidelines. Going forward, ECLT is committed to ensuring the guidelines’ full implementation, offering continued support to help local stakeholders integrate these standards effectively.
As we continue to work toward a child labour-free agriculture, ECLT encourages all businesses, policymakers, and community leaders across Indonesia’s agriculture sector to adopt and promote these guidelines. By supporting these standards, stakeholders can help create a sustainable, ethical agricultural sector that prioritizes the welfare of children and families.
A Shared Commitment to Transforming Agriculture
The ‘Labor Practices for Tackling Child Labor: Guidelines for Companies and Supply Chains in the Agricultural Sector’ represent a significant milestone in advancing a fair, safe, and child-labour-free agricultural sector in Indonesia. They highlight the need for a comprehensive response to child labour and underscore the power of collaboration among government, industry, and civil society. The journey to eliminating child labour is complex, requiring vigilance, collaboration, and sustained effort from all stakeholders. By upholding these standards, stakeholders across Indonesia can contribute to a brighter future—one where children have the freedom to pursue education and develop skills that will benefit their communities for generations to come.
For more information about ECLT’s work and impact in Indonesia, visit our Impact Page Further details on PAACLA’s initiatives can be found at PAACLA Indonesia.