Child Labor Exploitation: Legal Challenges and Protection Efforts

Abstract

Child labor exploitation remains a serious legal and social issue in Indonesia because it is influenced by poverty, limited access to education, cultural practices, family economic conditions, and the vulnerability of children in employment relationships. Although Indonesia has established various legal instruments governing child labor and child protection, problems remain in the consistency of legal norms, the distribution of institutional authority, labor inspection, inter-agency coordination, and societal attitudes toward children’s involvement in work. This study aims to analyze the legal challenges surrounding child labor exploitation and the legal protection provided to child workers in Indonesia. The research employs a normative juridical method using statutory and conceptual approaches, supported by primary and secondary legal materials obtained through library research. The conceptual approach applies Lawrence M. Friedman’s legal system theory through the components of legal substance, legal structure, and legal culture. The findings show that legal substance is reflected in various regulations governing child labor, child protection, human rights, and hazardous work, although greater coherence among these legal instruments is required. From the perspective of legal structure, labor inspection, institutional authority, and coordination among relevant agencies play an important role in protecting child workers. Meanwhile, legal culture is influenced by family attitudes, employer behavior, social practices, and public awareness regarding children’s rights. Legal protection for child workers is provided through preventive and repressive mechanisms that must be implemented consistently with the principle of the best interests of the child.