InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – In commemoration of the World Day Against Child Labour on June 12, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children's rights through a series of initiatives designed to support education, healthcare access, and family welfare across its operational areas.
The company will organize National Children's Day activities on June 10–11, 2026, highlighting the importance of ensuring that children have opportunities to learn, play, and develop according to their potential.
As part of its employment policy, Sinar Mas applies a minimum working age of 18 years, exceeding both Indonesia's legal minimum employment age of 15 and the standards outlined in ILO Convention No. 138.
"For us, success in preventing child labour is not simply the absence of child workers in the workplace. True success is when children remain in school, have space to play, gain access to healthcare services, and are given opportunities for a better future," said Bambang Suhartono, Regional Controller for Central Kalimantan 4.
To support working families, the company provides healthcare services, educational access, childcare facilities, and transportation assistance where necessary.
Currently, Sinar Mas operates more than 90 childcare centres, staffed by over 160 trained caregivers, serving more than 1,700 children in various operational regions.
The company also offers lactation rooms and supports breastfeeding mothers through workplace policies designed to protect maternal and child health.
These efforts are complemented through partnerships with organizations such as Partnership for Action Against Child Labour in Agriculture (PAACLA) Indonesia, Yayasan Buddha Tzu Chi, and the Eka Tjipta Foundation.
Misran Lubis, Program Manager at PAACLA Indonesia, emphasized that safeguarding children's rights requires collective action.
"Every child has the right to grow, learn, play, and be protected from violence and exploitation, including economic exploitation. Through collaboration among workers, families, communities, governments, and partners, we hope to continue building environments that support children's development while strengthening child labour prevention efforts," he said.
The company plans to reinforce this commitment through a series of events under the theme "Voice of the Future, Every Child Matters", to be held on June 10–11, 2026, at PT Mitrakarya Agroindo in Seruyan, Central Kalimantan. (T2)
