Student as Child Labor in Agriculture Sector During Pandemic Covid-19

Abstract

This study aims to describe the condition of the students who work in agriculture sector during covid-19 pandemic; what the reason to work and what the parents’ perception about students who work in farming. This research was done in Enrekang Regency of South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Respondents of this research were the parents of the students who worked in farming and students aged 13 to 15 who worked in farming during Covid-19 time. Data have been collected through interview, observation, and focused group discussion. This research shows that 63 percent of students started working in agriculture during pandemic, and 37 percent had been working before pandemic. The students’ reason for being involved in farming was the immense difficulty to study online which was mainly caused by the limitation of online device and poor internet connection. This leads to children having more spare time during the day, which give them a chance to work. The parents did not mind their children working because the children could study at night and could provide additional household income.