ILO partners with PAACLA to recognize initiatives combating child labour in agriculture

JAKARTA, Indonesia (ILO News) - Seven agricultural companies—ranging from multinational, national, and local enterprises—along with one agricultural business association, received awards from the Partnership for Action Against Child Labour in Agriculture (PAACLA). PAACLA, a collaborative platform established by the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) in coordination with various stakeholders, seeks to unify efforts to eradicate child labour in agriculture, particularly in rural areas.

By upholding human rights and promoting responsible business practices, we must ensure that no more children become trapped in child labour.

Yuli Adiratna, Director of Labor Norms Inspection at the Ministry of Manpower 

The awards were presented at a commemorative event held at Aryaduta Hotel in Jakarta on 12 June, coinciding with World Day Against Child Labour. These recognitions further reinforce the commitment and tangible actions demonstrated by these companies and the business association in empowering surrounding communities and their supply chains to eliminate child labour in agriculture.

The event also marked the 75th anniversary of Indonesia's membership in the ILO. Over the decades, Indonesia has made significant strides in eliminating child labour by deliberating Law No. 20 of 1999, which ratifies ILO Convention No. 138 concerning the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, and Law No. 1 of 2000, which ratifies ILO Convention No. 182 regarding the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

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The commemorative event was jointly conducted by PAACLA, the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) and the Ministry of Manpower, with support from the ILO’s Realizing Trade Gains Free from Gender Discrimination and Child Labour (RealGains) Project. Funded by the Government of Canada, the recently launched RealGains Project aims to enhance trade and investment in selected export sectors by addressing deficits in Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, particularly those related to gender-based discrimination and child labour and to strengthen national efforts to eliminate child labour in palm oil agriculture.

In his keynote remarks, Yuli Adiratna, Director of Labor Norms Inspection at the Ministry of Manpower, emphasized that the achievement of Golden Indonesia 2045 heavily depends on how we prepare and empower our children as the future generation. “By upholding human rights and promoting responsible business practices, we must ensure that no more children become trapped in child labour. Additionally, we should leverage technology to enhance our efforts to eradicate child labour,” he stated.

I have been dealing with child labour issues for 25 years. The statistical data shows that Indonesia is very progressive on the elimination of child labour.

Simrin Singh, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste 

Simrin Singh, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, quoted the recently launched the joint ILO and UNICEF report, titled Child Labour: Global estimates 2024, trends and the road forward, that nearly 138 million children were engaged in child labour in 2024, including around 54 million in hazardous work likely to jeopardize their health, safety or development.

The report also highlights that agriculture remains the largest sector for child labour, accounting for 61 per cent of all cases, followed by services (27 per cent), like domestic work and selling goods in markets, and industry (13 per cent), including mining and manufacturing. Meanwhile, Asia and the Pacific achieved the most significant reduction in prevalence since 2020, with the child labour rate dropping from 5.6 per cent to 3.1 per cent (from 49 million to 28 million children).

“I have been dealing with child labour issues for 25 years. The statistical data shows that Indonesia is very progressive on the elimination of child labour. The country has also been building a strong partnership among relevant stakeholders in monitoring and responding to child labour. Let’s end child labour!” she exclaimed.

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The event included a panel discussion featuring speakers from the Ministry of Human Rights, the Global Compact Network, PAACLA, the ILO, and the Children's Forum from East Java. The discussion focused on breaking the tradition of children being required to help on family farms, raising community awareness of children's rights and the importance of education, enhancing livelihoods, and engaging local authorities in efforts to combat child labour.

Representing her fellow children who work on tobacco farms to support their families, Gesyha Ayundya Zilfana, a 15-year-old leader of the Children's Forum in Kesilir Village, Jember, East Java—an area known for its tobacco farms—pledged, “Even one case of child labour is too many. We cannot turn a blind eye. As Indonesia progresses, its children must progress too.”

This year marked the first inauguration of the PAACLA Award given to seven companies of the following: PT Alliance One Indonesia, Universal PT Tempo Rejo, PT Findora Internusa, PT Mars Symbioscience Indonesia, PT Minarmas Plantation, UD Saka Mandiri, PT Cargill Indonesia. One special award was given to the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI).

GAPKI is one of the ILO’s implementing partners in promoting decent work and labour compliance in Indonesia’s palm oil sector. The association has been actively campaigning for child-friendly palm oil practices and launched its Child-Friendly Indonesian Palm Oil Guide in 2021. 

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