Peer-to-peer advocates speak out against child labour in agriculture and champion children’s rights

© ILO

© ILO

JAKARTA, Indonesia (ILO News) - The joyful voices of children rang out as they sang, performed the lively Jaipongan dance, and shared their dreams with heartfelt enthusiasm, filling the fourth floor of Indonesia’s National Library in Jakarta with energy and hope. On 11 June, they joined hands with representatives from governments, companies, civil society organizations, children's forums and advisory committees to celebrate the World Day Against Child Labour, reaffirming their unwavering commitment to a future where every child has access to education and is free from child labour.

We work with the local government and village authorities to organize meetings with children in the surrounding area, helping them learn about child labour, children's rights and the importance of education.

Anjani, a 17-year-old peer-to-peer child advocate from the Children’s Advisory Committee of Damang Malilo Village, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra

The event was jointly conducted by JARAK, the Alliance of the Elimination of Child Labour, and the Research Centre for Child Protection an organization, with support from the ILO’s Realizing Trade Gains Free from Gender Discrimination and Child Labour (RealGains) Project. Under the inspiring theme “Fun Wednesday: Dare to Dream and Aspire from an Early Age,” the event became a vibrant celebration of hope—strengthening the fight against child labour while offering children a lively, creative space to express themselves and shape a future full of possibilities.

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. It also strengthens national efforts to eliminate child labour in palm oil agriculture through improved prevention, enforcement, and monitoring.

With determination in her heart to make a difference, 15-year-old Gesyha Ayunda Zilfania from the Children’s Forum in Kesilir Village, Jember, East Java, took her first-ever flight to Jakarta. Before the audience, she shared her journey as a passionate peer-to-peer advocate for children’s rights and the urgent fight to end child labour. She shed light on a harsh reality: many children in her community are obliged to help their families on tobacco farms, especially during the harvest season, which coincides with the school holiday in July.

“Work on tobacco farms can be dangerous for children and most of them have no choice but to help their parents instead of spending their holidays on creative and educational activities," Gesyha said.

With support from the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Kesilir’s Children’s Forum has developed an integrated service for teenagers, raising awareness about dangers of child labour and children's rights. “Children need to know their rights, voice their aspirations and have the courage to report child labour incidents,” she added.

© ILO

© ILO

Anjani, a 17-year-old peer-to-peer child advocate from the Children’s Advisory Committee of Damang Malilo Village, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, shared a similar story. In this palm oil plantation area, local children must work alongside their parents, harvesting and collecting loose palm fruits.

“We work with the local government and village authorities to organize meetings with children in the surrounding area, helping them learn about child labour, children's rights and the importance of education," said Anjani. "To encourage more participation, we have also developed a board game on child labour to make our sessions more fun and engaging.”

We must collectively address the poverty of knowledge and culture. Together, we can make our voices heard to ensure there is no place for children to work, especially in the worst forms of child labour.

Dede Sudono, Project Coordinator of the ILO’s RealGains Project

The event also highlighted the experiences of children in the fishing village of Cilincing, located in the coastal area of North Jakarta. Atli and Yahya work collecting and cleaning clams and mussels to sell in their neighbourhood. “We give half of our income to support our family and the other half goes into savings,” said Yahya.

With support from the Community Learning Centre of Jala Samudera Mandiri Foundation, Atli and Yahya have returned to school through the government’s educational package programme. They have also received transportation aid from the Ministry of Manpower, allowing them to attend the learning centre more easily. Atli is currently completing sixth grade, while Yahya is in fourth grade.

Rinaldi Umar, Director of Labour Norm Inspection at the Ministry of Manpower, greatly appreciated the initiatives to eliminate child labour in Indonesia shown at the event. 'It is our dream to see Indonesia free from child labour. Children's primary responsibility is to attend school, learn and develop skills for their future. Together with all relevant stakeholders, the government has implemented various programmes and aims to expand them to reach the informal sector,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dede Sudono, Project Coordinator of the ILO’s RealGains Project, praised the role of Children’s Forums and Children’s Advisory Committees in advocating not only for children but also for parents and local authorities on child labour and children's rights, particularly in agriculture. “We must collectively address the poverty of knowledge and culture. Together, we can make our voices heard to ensure there is no place for children to work, especially in the worst forms of child labour,” she stated.