Child Labor Exploitation in the Tourism Industry on the Island of Lombok

Abstract

This paper aims to identify and map the forms of exploitation of child labor in the tourism industry. To understand the phenomenon of child workers, the researchers used a qualitative research approach with a case study method. The research subjects were child workers in which the data were collected at the individual level of the child worker. In order to check the validity of the data, triangulation of data sources and triangulation of data collection methods (observation, interviews, documentation study) were conducted. The results of the research found out that the forms of exploitation of children that work in the tourism industry include: a. There was a use of the time that was not according to the age of the children. b. The time in which the children work was beyond their ability and was in an unreasonable limit, the works of the children were not in accordance with the age conditions, c. There was no free time for the children to play, d. There was a form of coercion from other people to do work, f. The low wages earned do not match with the amount of time worked by the children. Taking the phenomenon of child labor in tourist destinations on the island of Lombok into account, the local government needs to approach parents so as not to employ underage children. Parents must have a high awareness of educating their children to a better level so that in the future it would be easier for the children to get a proper job in the world of work. In addition, it is necessary to empower working children to be awarded scholarships so that they are motivated to study and attend school. To the parents, the government also needs to increase the capacity of parents, in the form of training on the way to do entrepreneurship, and provide venture capital to support the survival of the family. Thus, children from poor families can go to school, and they do not have to work.