Women are the important part of Indonesian palm oil industry. The palm oil industry becomes sustainable if it protects the woman workers. The sustainability and protection of woman workers in the palm oil industry has become a strategic issue adopted by Indonesia in its presidency of the G20.
Kompas daily in cooperation with the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) raised the topic as a theme of discussion during the “Bincang Dua Puluh” public discussion titled “Great Women, Great Palm Oil Industry”, which was organized virtually on Tuesday, 22 March 2022.
Present in the public discussion as a key speaker were Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Minister I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati and other speakers who include Diah Anggoro Putri as Director General of Industrial Relations and Workers’ Social Security; Sumarjono Saragih as Manpower Division Head of GAPKI; Hadriani Uli Silalahi as Chair of Woman 20 (W-20) Indonesia; Elles Van Ark as Managing Director of CNV Internationaal; Nursanna Marpaung as Secretary General of Indonesian Palm Oil Labor Unions Network (JAPBUSI) and moderated by Kompas Senior Journalist Sonya Hellen. The event was opened by Kompas Editor-in-Chief Sutta Dharmasaputra.
Gusti Bintang said that the palm oil industry is a strategic industry and Indonesia’s largest contributor of foreign exchange.
The PPPA Minister expressed her appreciation on the event initiated by Kompas and GAPKI to realize a women-friendly working environment in the palm oil industry.
The women play an important role in the supply-chain of palm oil. “Let us unite the vision, build the mission and gather strength to create the working environment, which is safe, gender-friendly and responsive, in the palm oil industry,” she said.
The palm oil sector is one of the industries that can survive the Covid-19 pandemic. There is no reason in the industry to block the efforts of improving the welfare of woman workers, she said.
GAPKI as the association of Indonesian palm oil businessmen has implemented various movements, initiatives and actions to support the sustainability of Indonesian palm oil, including the protection of woman workers. In
2021, GAPKI and the agriculture, plantation, and forest (Hukatan) labor unions and the CNV Internationaal issued a guideline for woman workers’ protection. GAPKI is open for more and wider collaborations.
Sumarjono Saragih said in his presentation that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) who is responsible for leading the policy direction of G20 during Indonesia’s presidency of the world’s 20 largest economies, has been pushing for implementation of many actions. GAPKI has offered the palm oil as part of Indonesian initiative to show to the world and G20 that Indonesian palm oil industry is not as bad as reported by certain green NGOs and foreign media. The palm oil industry is not passive. It is concerned with the fate of 16 million workers of Indonesia. “When we pay attention to the palm oil industry, we also pay attention to the women of Indonesia,” said Sumarjono Saragih.
Diah Anggoro Putri, the industrial relations and workers’ social security director general, urged the woman workers to stay optimistic and enthusiastic to realize their productivity. Women are capable of competing fairly. The government has been continually monitoring the protection of woman workers and keeping collaborations with partners, including businessmen, labor unions and mass organizations to ensure that woman workers are able to keep their productivity and being successful.
W20 as the partner of the Indonesian government, especially during Indonesian presidency of G20 in 2022, has asked for the discussions of woman workers and special regulations to protect woman workers, including those in the palm oil industry.
Hadriani Uli Silalahi, the Chair of Woman 20, said that the women need to involve in the process of taking policies on the interests of women.
The protection of woman workers in the palm oil industry has drawn the attention of all stakeholders. Dialogs and collaborations have been continually improved. GAPKI, Hukatan labor unions and CNV Internationaal and other partners have also pursued various initiatives.
Managing Director of CNV Internationaal has called on all sides to participate in efforts of pursuing social dialogs, and fighting for fair salaries and best practices.
Nursanna Marpaung concurred with the speakers, saying that protecting woman workers will improve the welfare of families and bring positive impact to the national economy. Developing cooperation, best practices and social dialogs will strengthen the protection and the welfare of women.
By adopting the theme of “Great Women, Great Palm Oil Industry”, the event that was attended by palm oil stakeholders is expected to encourage all palm oil industry players to keep their commitments in protecting the woman workers towards reaching a glorious Indonesia. (*)
