The Role of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Adressing Child Labour in Indonesia from 2020-2022

Abstract

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is an international organization committed to promoting workers' rights through cooperation among governments at both national and regional levels to create world peace. The ILO is involved in labor issues, one of which is child labour. Child labour is a serious global issue, with 160 million children working at the beginning of 2020, and this number is expected to increase to 168.9 million children by 2022, according to global estimates. Employing children normalizes exploitation, resulting in the restriction of children's rights, such as the right to education and adequate healthcare facilities. This paper aims to analyze the role of the ILO in addressing the issue of child labour in Indonesia from 2020-2022, considering the worsening economic conditions due to the pandemic. The authors use a qualitative approach with a descriptive method, drawing data from literature studies. The research findings illustrate that the ILO plays a role in addressing child labour in Indonesia by: (1) serving as the basis for Indonesia's child labour policies, (2) acting as a platform that facilitates Indonesia's participation in forums for the elimination of child labour, and (3) acting as an independent actor aiming to take concrete steps to eliminate child labour in Indonesia.