The Phenomenon of Minors in the Informal Sector

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 31 views

Study of Underage Workers in the Urban Informal Sector: Reveal the Reality of Child Labor in the Urban Informal Sector - Case Study of Shoe Slows in Medan City

The urban informal sector has become a significant issue in many cities around the world, including Medan City in Indonesia. The rapid development of cities often leads to complex social problems, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of infrastructure. As a result, many city residents are forced to make a living in the informal sector with limited resources. This condition is further exacerbated by the economic crisis that hits many families, causing parents to lose their jobs and experience economic difficulties.

The Phenomenon of Minors in the Informal Sector

In this situation, many minors are forced to take to the streets to help the family economy. This study examines the phenomenon of minors (under 15 years) in the informal sector, especially shoe sparms in the city of Medan. The study aims to understand the socio-economic characteristics of the children's families, identify the factors that encourage children to enter the informal sector, and analyze the impact of child labor on children and their families.

Methodology

This study involved 88 shoe sparms in three villages in Medan: Petisah Tengah, Madras Hulu, and Deli Weigh. Data was collected through surveys with questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and descriptive statistical analysis, non-parametric, and multiple regression.

Results

The results showed that the majority of shoe sparms came from various tribes, such as Toba Batak, Karo Batak, Mandailing, Minangkabau, Malay, Java, and others. Their age ranges from 11-15 years, and all of them are male. Most of these children come from families with 3-6 children. Parental education generally graduated from elementary school (SD) to high school (SLTA), with only a small number of tertiary education. Most of the work of parents as entrepreneurs, small traders, and pedicab drivers. The majority of these children live with their parents, even though some are born and reside outside the city of Medan.

Factors Encouraging Children to Enter the Informal Sector

The entry of children into the informal sector as a shoe darker is driven by various factors. The environment and the insistence of parents are the main factors. The ease and cheapness of starting this job, as well as the presence of friends who have first worked as shoe stations, become a special attraction.

Impact of Child Labor on Children and Families

This study shows that average working hours per day and educational status have a significant influence on shoe sparrow income. Experience, on the other hand, has no significant influence. The independent variable in the regression equation simultaneously is able to explain its effect on the dependent variable. Research also shows a significant difference in the income of shoe sparms based on work locations.

Work as a shoe warmer has a negative impact on children. Rough treatment and forced levies by older thugs and fighters, as well as unpleasant treatment such as often not receiving wages from service users, are part of the reality they experience. Although most children who no longer attend school still have the desire to continue their education, lack of costs, time, and shame make them forced to quit school. Children's work also has an impact on the family, especially in helping to finance daily needs.

Conclusion

This research highlights the importance of attention to the issue of child labor in the informal sector. This condition is not only detrimental to children, but also has a bad impact on their future and their families. The government and various related parties need to take concrete steps to protect the rights of children and provide opportunities for them to get education and decent lives.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Protection of Children's Rights: The government and various related parties need to take concrete steps to protect the rights of children and provide opportunities for them to get education and decent lives.
Education and Training: The government and various related parties need to provide education and training programs for children and their families to improve their socio-economic status.
Job Opportunities: The government and various related parties need to provide job opportunities for parents and other family members to reduce the burden on children.
Monitoring and Evaluation: The government and various related parties need to monitor and evaluate the implementation of policies and programs related to child labor in the informal sector.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Sample Size: The sample size of this study is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Data Collection: The data collection method used in this study may not be comprehensive, which may lead to biases in the findings.
Time Frame: The time frame of this study is relatively short, which may not capture the long-term effects of child labor in the informal sector.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on the following areas:

Long-term Effects of Child Labor: Future research should investigate the long-term effects of child labor in the informal sector on children and their families.
Policy Implementation: Future research should evaluate the implementation of policies and programs related to child labor in the informal sector.
Intervention Programs: Future research should develop and evaluate intervention programs to reduce child labor in the informal sector.
Q&A: Study of Underage Workers in the Urban Informal Sector

Q: What is the urban informal sector, and how does it affect children?

A: The urban informal sector refers to the economy of cities that operates outside of the formal economy, often characterized by small-scale, unregistered, and unregulated businesses. This sector can have a significant impact on children, as many are forced to work in these conditions to support their families.

Q: What are the socio-economic characteristics of the families of the children who work in the informal sector?

A: The families of the children who work in the informal sector are often characterized by low socio-economic status, with parents who are entrepreneurs, small traders, or pedicab drivers. They often have limited education and income, which forces them to rely on their children to support the family.

Q: What are the factors that encourage children to enter the informal sector?

A: The factors that encourage children to enter the informal sector include the environment and the insistence of parents. The ease and cheapness of starting this job, as well as the presence of friends who have first worked as shoe stations, become a special attraction.

Q: What are the impacts of child labor on children and families?

A: Child labor in the informal sector has a negative impact on children, including rough treatment and forced levies by older thugs and fighters, as well as unpleasant treatment such as often not receiving wages from service users. It also has an impact on the family, especially in helping to finance daily needs.

Q: What are the recommendations for addressing child labor in the informal sector?

A: The recommendations for addressing child labor in the informal sector include:

Protection of Children's Rights: The government and various related parties need to take concrete steps to protect the rights of children and provide opportunities for them to get education and decent lives.
Education and Training: The government and various related parties need to provide education and training programs for children and their families to improve their socio-economic status.
Job Opportunities: The government and various related parties need to provide job opportunities for parents and other family members to reduce the burden on children.
Monitoring and Evaluation: The government and various related parties need to monitor and evaluate the implementation of policies and programs related to child labor in the informal sector.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include:

Sample Size: The sample size of this study is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Data Collection: The data collection method used in this study may not be comprehensive, which may lead to biases in the findings.
Time Frame: The time frame of this study is relatively short, which may not capture the long-term effects of child labor in the informal sector.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: The future research directions for this study include:

Long-term Effects of Child Labor: Future research should investigate the long-term effects of child labor in the informal sector on children and their families.
Policy Implementation: Future research should evaluate the implementation of policies and programs related to child labor in the informal sector.
Intervention Programs: Future research should develop and evaluate intervention programs to reduce child labor in the informal sector.

Q: What can be done to prevent child labor in the informal sector?

A: To prevent child labor in the informal sector, the government and various related parties need to take concrete steps to protect the rights of children and provide opportunities for them to get education and decent lives. This can be achieved through education and training programs, job opportunities, and monitoring and evaluation of policies and programs related to child labor in the informal sector.