Children Labor in Indonesia's Tobacco Fields: Human Rights Watch

Summary

In Indonesia, thousands of children, some as young as 8, work in hazardous tobacco farms, despite laws prohibiting child labor in dangerous industries. These children are exposed to nicotine through the tobacco plant and pesticides, causing health issues like nausea and dizziness. While tobacco is largely grown for the domestic market, a significant portion is exported, making it difficult to trace the origins of the tobacco. Multinational cigarette companies are often indirectly linked to this child labor. Despite existing laws, enforcement is weak, and child labor continues to thrive in Indonesia's tobacco fields.

Takeaways

• 😀 Children as young as 8 years old are working in Indonesian tobacco farms, despite it being illegal for children to work in hazardous industries.
• 😀 Indonesian law prohibits child labor in hazardous industries, with a minimum working age of 15, yet thousands of children still work on tobacco farms.
• 😀 Tobacco farming is particularly harmful to children as nicotine from the plants can be absorbed through the skin, posing health risks.
• 😀 Children working in tobacco fields often come into contact with pesticides and raw tobacco, which can be harmful to their health.
• 😀 One child reported vomiting from the smell of tobacco after watering the plants, highlighting the harsh conditions in the fields.
• 😀 Tobacco harvested in Indonesia is primarily for the domestic market, but a significant portion is exported, including to countries like the United States and Europe.
• 😀 Cigarettes sold in Europe or the U.S. may be made with tobacco harvested by children in Indonesia, making it difficult for consumers to trace the origins of the product.
• 😀 Human Rights Watch issued a report calling for better enforcement of child labor laws in Indonesia, urging the government to improve conditions.
• 😀 While Indonesia has strong regulations against child labor, these rules are not properly enforced in the tobacco fields.
• 😀 Many young laborers in tobacco fields report feeling dizzy and nauseous after working long hours, indicating the physical toll of their labor.

Q & A

What is the minimum legal working age in Indonesia for hazardous industries?

The minimum legal working age in Indonesia for hazardous industries is 15 years old.

Are children working on tobacco farms in Indonesia despite the law?

Yes, thousands of children, some as young as 8 years old, work on tobacco farms in Indonesia, which is illegal.

Why is working on tobacco farms particularly hazardous for children?

Tobacco is hazardous because children can absorb nicotine through their skin and are often exposed to harmful pesticides while handling raw tobacco.

What symptoms did the child in the transcript experience while working on the farm?

The child vomited due to the smell of tobacco and felt unwell after watering the plants.

How many tobacco plantations are there approximately in Indonesia?

There are roughly 500,000 tobacco plantations in Indonesia.

Where does Indonesian tobacco go after it is harvested?

Most of the tobacco is used for the domestic market, but about a quarter is exported overseas.

Can cigarettes sold in Europe or the United States contain tobacco produced by child labor in Indonesia?

Yes, some multinational cigarette companies purchase Indonesian tobacco from local suppliers, so cigarettes abroad could contain tobacco produced by child labor.

What organization recently reported on child labor in Indonesian tobacco farms?

Human Rights Watch recently issued a report on child labor in Indonesia.

What does the Indonesian government currently do regarding child labor regulations?

The government has strong regulations prohibiting child labor, but these rules are often not properly enforced in the fields.

What are some of the reported effects on children working long hours in tobacco fields?

Children report feeling dizzy and nauseous after long days in the tobacco fields due to exposure to nicotine and pesticides.

Why is it difficult to trace the origins of tobacco used by multinational companies?

Because these companies purchase tobacco from local suppliers, which makes it hard to determine whether the tobacco came from farms using child labor.