Child Labor and Exploitation in Indonesia's Pulp and Paper Industry

The article investigates the use of child labor at Toba Pulp Lestari, one of Indonesia's largest pulp and paper companies. Despite Indonesian laws and international conventions prohibiting child labor, especially in hazardous work, the company has been employing minors, including a 14-year-old girl named Sita, to work on their eucalyptus plantations. These underage workers are involved in planting, fertilizing, and spraying weed poison without proper protective equipment, earning below the minimum wage and without health insurance. The company, owned by billionaire Sukanto Tanoto, has been previously linked to illegal deforestation and land grabbing. The article highlights the plight of these children and their families, who live in poor conditions and are forced to work due to economic necessity. It also discusses the role of subcontractors in the employment process, which allows child labor to persist. VICE World News' investigation reveals the harsh realities of child labor in Indonesia's pulp and paper industry, calling attention to the need for better enforcement of labor laws and corporate accountability.

Child Labor and Exploitation in Indonesia's Pulp and Paper Industry

The article investigates the use of child labor at Toba Pulp Lestari, one of Indonesia's largest pulp and paper companies. Despite Indonesian laws and international conventions prohibiting child labor, especially in hazardous work, the company has been employing minors, including a 14-year-old girl named Sita, to work on their eucalyptus plantations. These underage workers are involved in planting, fertilizing, and spraying weed poison without proper protective equipment, earning below the minimum wage and without health insurance. The company, owned by billionaire Sukanto Tanoto, has been previously linked to illegal deforestation and land grabbing. The article highlights the plight of these children and their families, who live in poor conditions and are forced to work due to economic necessity. It also discusses the role of subcontractors in the employment process, which allows child labor to persist. VICE World News' investigation reveals the harsh realities of child labor in Indonesia's pulp and paper industry, calling attention to the need for better enforcement of labor laws and corporate accountability.

Torrential rain brought life-threatening flooding to the Indonesian city of Medan in Sumatra Island on Dec. 4. Rescue crews worked overnight to evacuate residents from the flood waters. At least six people have died.

Villagers have been busy clearing large amounts of ash covering streets in communities near Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung erupted on March 2, 2021. It was the first major eruption for the volcano in North Sumatra since August 2020.

Deadly flooding hits Indonesia's Sumatra island

Flash floods in Medan, Sumatra island, Indonesia, have resulted in several deaths and left hundreds displaced. The flooding, caused by torrential rains that made the Sunggal river overflow, has also led to damaged houses and cars being swept away.