Legal Counseling on the Implementation of Labor Laws as a Legal Protection Measure Against the Exploitation of Child Labor in the Village of Kelambir Lima Hamparan Perak

Abstract

The exploitation of child labor in Indonesia, particularly in villages with challenging socioeconomic conditions, remains a significant problem despite the existence of various regulations governing child protection. This study aims to analyze the implementation of the Manpower Act in the legal protection of child laborers in Kelambir Lima Village, Hamparan Perak, Deli Serdang Regency, and to identify the obstacles faced in the application of these regulations. The research approach used is qualitative with a descriptive method. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation studies involving the village community, child workers, village government officials, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The results of the study show that although the Manpower Act regulates the protection of child workers, its implementation in the field is still hampered by a lack of legal understanding among the community, limited supervision at the village level, and families' economic dependence on children's income. This study also identified several
obstacles, such as a lack of effective legal education and minimal resources to carry out adequate supervision. Based on these findings, this study recommends strategic measures, including increasing legal education for the community, strengthening labor supervision, and providing alternative livelihoods for families that depend on children's income. This study is expected to make a significant contribution to efforts to reduce child labor exploitation through more effective implementation of the Labor Law at the village level.