Palembang – Women play an important role in palm oil industries, but protection of their rights is often neglected. Considering the issue, the Indonesian Palm Oil Association’s (GAPKI) South Sumatera Branch Office launched on Wednesday (30/7/2025) a two-day event titled “Advocacy and Protection of Female Workers in South Sumatra’s Palm Oil Industries”, which featured national seminar, workshop, and social movement of “Equality for Women, Palm Oil for the progress of South Sumatra.”
The event’s opening ceremony was attended by 170 participants from various stakeholders in South Sumatera and was supported by the Plantation Fund Management Board (BPDP).
GAPKI Sumsel Office Head Alex Sugiarto, opened the event by emphasizing the role of female workers as hidden backbone in the production process of palm oil. Of around 16.2 million total workers in Indonesian palm oil industries, female workers contribute significantly from upstream to downstream.
“But there are still many challenges facing female workers, ranging from work hours to occupational health and safety, social security, and unequal gender relations. Inter-sectoral collaborations are needed to improve such condition,” he said.
Alex also highlighted concrete steps already taken by GAPKI since 2019 with its international partners, including the formulation of practical guidelines for protection of female workers in oil palm plantations that have been adopted by companies.
Three main agendas being featured during the palm oil event are as follows: The launching of movement for equality of women in South Sumatra, national seminar that were addressed by speakers from BPDP, ministry of manpower, representatives of GAPKI’s member companies, workers’ organization of JAPBUSI and Workshop with speakers from the International Labor Organization (ILO) and ministry of PPPA (woman empowerment and child protection), to design further concrete program in companies.
“We want to push more inclusive internal policy, in favour of female workers, and establish gender community in work places,” added Alex.
The event was also supported by South Sumatra Governor, Herman Deru, who expressed his high appreciation to GAPKI Sumsel when he addressed the event.
“The issue of equality is not only a matter of number, but also opportunity and protection. This is important for the sustainability of palm oil industries,” Herman said.
Herman Deru also mentioned progressive steps already taken by South Sumatera provincial government, such as initiatives to prevent marriage of children and legal protection after divorce, making Sumsel as pioneering province in female protection. He said the event should not be just limited in discussions. “I ask you all not to stop just in seminar or FGD. This should be followed with policies and concrete steps taken by all companies. It has been proven that women are able to play important role in various sectors.”
With the momentum, GAPKI Sumsel has ensured that palm oil industries do not only excel in production, but also in its commitment to maintaining equality and justice for all female workers.
During the same occasion, an honour vest was awarded to ambassador of Gender Equality in Business Initiative Enthusiast (GEBIE), dr. Hj. Ratu Tenny Leriva, MM, a member of DPD RI (council of representatives) from South Sumatera province. It was awarded by Sumarjono Saragih, the head of human resource development division at GAPKI Central Executive Board, together with GAPKI Sumsel Office Head Alex Sugiarto and Aida Fitria, Head of Institutional Cooperation Division at the Plantation Fund Management Board (BPDP).
In her speech, Ratu Tenny Leriva underlined the importance of maintaining gender equality, not only at the legislative level , but also in work environment and society. She also asked young business players to be more concerned about the rights and obligations of their workers.
During the occasion, financial assistances for social security of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan were given to 1,000 female informal workers of oil palm plantations in Sumsel.
In addition to that, awards were also presented to a number of regions considered to have supported gender equality. The regions include the provincial government of South Sumatera, Pagaralam mayoralty, Muara Enim regency, Banyuasin regency, and Musi Rawas regency.
The award for South Sumatera was received by Governor H. Herman Deru. Also present at the occasion were Pagaralam Mayor Ludi Oliansyah, Muara Enim Deputy Regent Hj. Sumarni, Banyuasin Deputy Regent Netta Indian, Musi Rawas Manpower Service Head Alexander Akbar, Sumsel PPPA Service Head Fitriana, Sumsel Plantation Service Head Agus Darwa, Sumsel Environment Service Head Herdi Apriansyah, other officials from other regencies in South Sumatera, and representatives of workers union, academicians, students, civil society organizations and representatives of media. (*)
