Children in employment put a halt to their own education and human capital development. Labour supply theory argued that monetary poverty is one of the main reasons of their existence. Nevertheless, the urge to involve children in the working environment is dependent on a  household’s own perception of their basic needs. Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) is an alternative measurement tool to explain the emergence of child labour. Our study show that there is a negative relationship between exposure to famine in the past and current perceptions of FIES. Further, there is a higher probability of children’s participation in work in households where FIES is severe. In addition, socio-economic and demographic characteristics also havesignificant contribution. Ensuring food stocks availability and affordability are paramount in eradicating children in employment.

Open to the public and free.

Speaker: Dwini Handayani dan Resa Surya Utama (Lembaga Demografi Universitas Indonesia)