Students as agents of change for the elimination of child domestic labour

Fifteen students aged 14-18 years old from some junior high schools and senior high schools across Jakarta gathered at the Youth Sensitization Forum conducted by the ILO on 21 July 2017 in Jakarta, discussing and examining the important role of domestic workers and the urgent need to eliminate child domestic labour.

These children were part of the Jakarta Children Forum, established by the Provincial Government of Jakarta in 2010 to empower students as agents of change in the society and to equip them with skills that enable them to take ownership of their lives and co-create the future.

I will be more active in posting messages related to the elimination of child domestic workers and the upholding of the rights of domestic workers through my social media accounts like Instagram and twitter."

Putri Nurhandayani from Children Forum of North Jakarta

Through the working group and interactive discussions they realized the great contribution given by domestic workers to the households and the society despite the lack of recognition and appreciation towards domestic workers as profession and workers. They also realized the hazards that child domestic workers had to experience that have placed child domestic labour as one of the worst forms of child labour.

In addition, they further learnt that domestic workers and child domestic workers, different from other workers, such as civil servants and factory workers, were not yet protected by the labour law and did not have, among others, specific job description, regular working hours, minimum wage, social protection, annual leave and day-off as well as access to education and training. Domestic workers and child domestic workers heavily rely on the kindness of their employers.

It is in line with the commitment of the Provincial Government of Jakarta. We have committed to eliminate all worst forms of child labour in Jakarta, including child domestic workers. The Provincial Government of Jakarta will continue to coordinate and develop a synergy with relevant stakeholders to create Jakarta as child friendly city."

Diah Kusdewi, Secretary of Child Protection and Empowerment and Population Control Office of the Provincial Government of Jakarta

Putri Nurhandayani from Children Forum of North Jakarta vowed that she was going to share what she has learnt during the Youth Forum to her families, relatives and friends. “I am going to share the information through my organization. I will be more active in posting messages related to the elimination of child domestic workers and the upholding of the rights of domestic workers through my social media accounts like Instagram and twitter,” she added.

Similarly Ade Ibnu from Childrem Forum of East Jakarta, said that he was going to share his experience and disseminate the information to his teachers and friends at his school through various school activities. Meanwhile M. Rayhan Bachtiar from Child Forum of West Jakarta would focus his attention to share the information to the surrounding of his home.

Appraising the initiatives taken by the students, Diah Kusdewi, Secretary of Child Protection and Empowerment and Population Control Office of the Provincial Government of Jakarta, wished that these students could further act as the agents of change in their families, schools and their surroundings.

“It is in line with the commitment of the Provincial Government of Jakarta. We have committed to eliminate all worst forms of child labour in Jakarta, including child domestic workers. The Provincial Government of Jakarta will continue to coordinate and develop a synergy with relevant stakeholders to create Jakarta as child friendly city,” stated Diah.