By: Ahmad Sofian
The phrase “street kid” was first introduced in Brazil, South America and was used to refer to a group of kids who live on the street without ties to their family. Basically, the children in this category are likely to become involved in criminal activities and are often juvemle delinquents. However, this term became a bit confused when applied to other, developing countries when referring to children who spend their days on the street but still have ties to their family. And may return to their families at night. UNICEF uses the term children who “live on the street” for children without family ties, and children who “work on the street” for those who continue to have family ties.
Generally, children who live and work on the street work in the informal sector. The rise in the number of street kids is not due to a transformation of the socioeconomic environment from an agricultural society to an industrialising society. The phenomenon we are seeing in the growth of street kids is largely due to the shift towards capitalism and the corresponding exploitation of children.
The street children make up a marginalised community and are viewed as a means to overcome the family’s economic problems. Their value in the eyes of then parents are not in terms of education, but as an economic contributor. In Medan, the third largest city in Indonesia, there are many children working in the informal sector and suffering abuse, attacts and arrests. In 1995 children working in Amplas Station Medan were stopped by security officers from continuing to work at the station, after they were stopped from working, approximately 40 children field suit and called on parliament to offer them legal protection.
The emergence of street kids who become workers in the informal sector is often attributed to the proverty suffered by the urban children’s families, who ask their children to take to the street to help support the family. Actually, many of the children migrate to the city from the countryside in search of work.
Many children take to the street to work due to a low level of education of their family. Ignorance, as well as then inability to fill the available formal sector jobs. Limited education and economic conditions in the village force some families to send their children to the city to work.
Medan
Medan is the third largest city in Indonesia. After Jakarta and Surabaya. Medan is developing intoa metropolitan city, and covers an area of 265 km or 2.650 ha. Street kids can be found along the roads and ‘hang out’ in certain areas of the city. Families who live along the Dili River, Marindal. Sukarami, Simpang and Limun are generally poor and often send their children to the street to earn money in the informal sector.
Also, families from outlying villages in Northen Sumatera who believe their children can earn a better life in the city send their children to the city. We have seen a rise in migration from the village to the city of Medan. We see children from various tribes, including tribes such as Java, Batak, Minangkabau, Karo and Banjar working in the city. However, the children from the village often have a difficult time competing, with the other children, and life is often very difficult. Many are forced into even deeper poverty.
As the capital of North Sumatera province. Medan is becoming the centre of the region for government, education, trade and industry. This has directly and indirectly influenced the growth of the city. The population density in Medan in 1994 was 6.551 people per kilometre. A recent local government census calculated that the population is growing by a rate of 2,3% with thw highest levels of growth in the suburbs of Medan, and the lowest in the city centre. The increasing birth rate, migration to the city for jobs, and migration for educational purposes all have contributed to the population growth.
The street kids that come to work in the informal sector occupy crowded areas, public space and the aera along the main road. It is easy to pick them out at the three main stations. Amplas, Sambu Market, Pasar Sore, Petisah Market, Aksara Plaza, Medan Mall, Yuki Plaza, Deli plaza and Thamrin Plaza.
Life as a street kid in Medan
Street kids usually become the object of violence, which is no different in Medan. According to a report by our centre, the Centre of Study and Child Protection (PKPA), there were 40 children tortured and otherwise maltreated by security officers or gangster during a four month period. They were tortured with hot water being spilled on them, stoned, burnt with cigarette bulls cut and hit. They are also victims of sexual abuse and we found cases where hildren were sodomised and raped. These are similar conditions faced by the street children in Jakarta, Bandung and Yogyakarta.
In January 1996 more than ten street children were caught selling newspapers and drinking in the train station. One was tortured by the security guards and forced to clean the floor of the station with his tongue. “I was forced to lie down, then the security officer brought out an electric iron. When the iron touched my skin. I cried as it was very painful. My skin was burnt, and I was forced to lick the station floor. When I refused, one officer stopped. It was very painful”.
It is guide difficult for the children to sell their goods. They often have to play hide and seek with the security guards, in order to keep selling their wares. The security officers site city cleanliness regulations when trying to stop them from selling on the street.
Meanwhile, the children on the street themselves become the object of trade. We have seen case where they are kidnapped by labour recniters to be sold to fish trappers, and made to spend longhour catching fish on platfoms in the sea. Usually, the “recuiter” receives about US$5 per child sold.
Income of the street children
Children working on the street in the onformal sector are there primarily to earn money. The money earned varies between children, depending on how long they work (all day or only in the evening or afternoon). But, the average for children working all day is approximately US$1 to US$3. Those working for part of the day usually earn between US$1 and US$2.
These children use the money earned for various things. Most use the money earned as pocket spending money, and use it to play video games and gamble. Very few of theme save the money or give it to there parents.
Strategi for the future
From the above describtion we see that the problem facing the street children are compleks, and there is not an easy solution. The prblem of strret children working in the informal sector cannot be solved by government on NGOs alone. The only way to eradecate children living and working on the street is throught different organisation government. NGOs international institution (like UNICEF and UNESCO). The media, individuals and religius organisations.
A direct action program could be efektif. This could encloude service such as non-formal education. Increasing the health service provided to families. And program aimed at increasing family income.
Awarness raising programmes are also effective. Educating members of society and bringing the problem of the street children to there attention. Eather throught seminars. Books and public campaigns. Perhaps will raise the understanding of the street children’s problems. And help keep more children of the street.
Sumber: Asian Labour Update, Juni 1997
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