Child Rights in Indonesia 

In 2020, approximately 26 percent of the population of Indonesia were children. While the exact number of children engaged in economic activities in the country is unknown, it is estimated that 5 million children are engaged in Indonesia’s palm oil sector alone. With agriculture and manufacturing being in the top 3 sectors contributing to Indonesia’s GDP, child rights risks such as child labour are high. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated child rights risks further with millions of workers losing their jobs and sliding deeper into poverty. For example, The Centre has found that rural workers in the natural fibre sector have been hit particularly hard in the past year, with many unable to afford even the most basic necessities.

The number of families being unable to pay for their children’s education is set to increase, as is the pressure to rely on family members for income. Other issues affecting children are lack of childcare at production sites and plantations, lack of maternity protection, lack of social protection for migrant workers, and lack of decent work opportunities for young workers below 18 but above the legal working age.