JAKARTA – The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) has stated that PT Bintang Sawit Lestari (BSL), an oil palm plantation company suspected to have practiced slavery in its plantation in Sekadau Hulu district of West Kalimantan province, is not a member of GAPKI.
“PT BSL is not a member company of GAPKI,” GAPKI Chairman Eddy Martono said when asked to comment on the news reports about the slavery on Friday, 24 November 2023.
Eddy said that he is very concerned if the reports are true. “Practicing slavery is against the law and our state protects human rights and all business players are obliged to comply with prevailing laws, which include the laws on protection of workers’ rights,” he said.
“GAPKI as an organization of palm oil business players has always encouraged member companies to comply with all prevailing laws,” he said.
Eddy said that since 2016 GAPKI and all of partners — ILO (International Labor Organization), Dutch Labor Union CNV, National Workers Network (JAPBUSI), etc — have been active and consistent in promoting responsible practices of employment.
“In ILO’s term it is ‘decent work’. We promote such responsible employment among all of GAPKI members and non-members as well,” he said.
During the last few years, he said GAPKI has also helped member companies in getting the certification of ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil). Through ISPO certification, companies are required to strengthen their commitment in implementing the responsible employment, which is in line with the principles and criteria set by ISPO to protect and respect workers’ rights.
“We strengthen the relationships between employers and employees through social dialogs in respective companies. We also hope the government to strengthen its mechanism of supervising the employment,” said Eddy.
Previously, according to media reports, 5 workers in the oil palm plantation of PT Bintang Sawit Lestari (BSL) in Sekadau Hulu district of West Kalimantan (Kalbar) province were held captive and abused by other workers of the company. Sekadau Police (Polres) Detective and Criminal Unit Head Rahmad Kartono said that after conducting an investigation they arrested 7 workers of the company and later named as suspects.
“Currently, we’re in coordination with the manpower service and public prosecutor office of Sekadau regency to solve the problem in PT BSL,” Rahmad said in a written statement received on Tuesday.
According to Rahmad, the case was uncovered on Thursday, 16 November 2023, after they were tipped about the captives and persecution. We managed to free the five confined workers,” said Rahmad.
He pointed out that based on their investigation 38 workers reported being treated inhumanely. They also have their salaries cut unfairly. Under such condition, Rahmad said 7 of the 38 workers decided to flee from the company on Wednesday, 01 November 2023. “Those who fled are from East Java and Central Java,” he said. (*)
Source: sawitindonesia.com
