Child Protection Should Be Common Commitment: Minister

Jakarta (Antara Bali) -- The government, elements of society and the private sector should all commit to ensure the protection of children, Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa said.

"My opinion on the fundamental problem children face today is related to their protection, including the protection of their education, health and security, both within and away from their family," the minister remarked here on Thursday, during the commemoration of National Children's Day.

In addition, during the peak event of the commemoration of National Children's Day on July 23, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said on Twitter that children should be controlled and kept happy.

With regard to the president's message, Parawansa stated that they still have a lot of homework related to children because many of them continue to be subjected to domestic violence. This indicates that they are neither properly controlled nor happy.

Furthermore, the minister pointed out that many children continue to be employed either by their parents or others in the community.

"The issue of child labor is still problematic. So we should ask parents to control and protect them. If children are required to work to help earn for their family, their place of employment must comply with regulations on child labor," Parawansa emphasized.

Work permitted under child labor regulations include those that have a happy atmosphere for children, those that do not exploit children, and those that do not interfere with their time for education, she explained. (WDY)