This is a rapid assessment of the condition of child labors and types of worst forms of child labors based upon the ILO conventions #138 and 182 in Nias and Nias Selatan. The objectives of the research are to identify push and pull factors from the children's views as well as their parents'; to investigate children's access to education and training as well as their working environment. In addition to it, the study also tried to explore appropriate approaches to prevent and to eliminate child labors and WFCL which are fit to the characteristic and culture of community. By doing such research, it was hoped that adequate information and recommendations which are needed by policy makers to develop and to reform district regulations could be produced coincided with program development and resources allocation to prevent and to eliminate child labors in the short term and long term periods.
The approach used in this assessment was qualitative which is multi-method in focus, involving an interpretive, naturalistic approach to the subject matter. Therefore, three techniques of data collection were applied in the study, i.e.: observation, interviews and Focused Group Discussions (FGD). For that purpose, three sub-districts were chosen to be the research sites: Lahusa (villages of Lahusa and Bawozihono), Sawo (village of Sawo), and Tuhemberua (villages of Hiliduruwa and Simpang Lima). Villages of Lahusa, Hiliduruwa and Simpang Lima are highlands where child labor is noticed in the rivers and hills, meanwhile Bawozihono and Sawo are located along the sea sides, where children work on sands and stones on the beaches and rivers. In data analysis, the process conducted was data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing/verification.
From this rapid assessment it was known that the underlying causes of children have to work in Kabupaten Nias and Nias Selatan were poverty accompanied by the cultural belief that mentioned that children are the assets of the family. In addition to it, the December 2004 tsunami and the March 2005 earthquake also play a role to the participation of children in labor. The disaster brought about a massive destruction of infrastructure in Nias. Therefore, the need for supply has created a new job for many people in Nias and it is unavoidable that children are also responsible to support their family. This situation was worsened by the poor quality of education in sub-districts and the location of school which is very far from their homes. Thus, parents are tempted to send their children to work.
This study also found that religious leaders can play a big role in the community as they are heard especially in the church. Therefore, the solution to this situation is to empower religious leaders and coincided with that is the provision of economic activity to the family.
Based on that findings, the short and long term period of program were recommended, for instance to improve the working conditions, to introduce the Convention of the Rights of the Children (CRC), to conduct a seminar and training for local government officers concerning CRC, and to conduct a regular program for Package A to C, etc. The most important recommendation is to review the national policy on education to harmonize education and child labor. Further, Local People's Body (DPRD) must issue local rules/policy (Perda) for child protection and make special budget for the welfare of children. |