PALMOILMAGAZINE, SIMALUNGUN – The United States government has expanded its palm oil support program through the International Labor Organization (ILO), increasing funding for a program initiated in 2016. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable palm oil industries and protecting labor rights.
As part of this effort, the Regency of Simalungun in North Sumatra Province has been selected as a pilot project for the new ILO program worldwide. Simalungun, particularly the Subdistrict of Marihat, is renowned as the birthplace of palm oil seeds in Indonesia.
While perhaps not as well-known as Marihat, Simalungun also boasts a rich history in palm oil seed breeding, with its Pusat Penelitian Marihat serving as a pioneering institution in establishing the Pusat Penelitian Kelapa Sawit (PPKS).
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“PPKS is now the center of palm oil research and producer that many are proud of. Some superior seeds are named DXP Marihat and DXP Simalungun,” Charman of Indonesian Palm Oil Association (IPOA) in Human Resource Development, Sumarjono Saragih said, as in the official statement to Palmoilmagazine.com, Tuesday (9/7/2024). Saragih also said that Regency of Simalungun would like to be the important part in the history of palm oil industries in this country.
Regent of Simalungun, Radiapoh Sinaga did welcome the good offer from USA through ILO. The pilot project of the first social obedience (labors) in the world would be in tripartite that would involve the governments, labors, and stakeholders (businessmen). “Regency of Simalungun would support the pilot project and hopefully would realize the smallholders and labors’ welfare,” Sinaga said.
The initiative would be named SCOPE SITALASARI, as part of Simalungun Marharoan Bolon. “SITALASARI was inspired by a popular song in Simalungun. If it is extanded to be a sentence, SITALASARI means, Simalungun Tanah Leluhur Sawit untuk Generasi,” Saragih said who is also the Founder Chairman of WISPO (Worker Initiatives for Sustainable Palm Oil). The program itself is about to notice the labors’ rights and escalate the labors’ condition.
Meanwhile, Carter Quinley from Ministry of Labor, USA said that USA would really pay attention to the labor’s rights in the world. That is why we would get the partners that would lead to escalate the labors’ condition. “We are in cooperation with ILO and stated that Indonesia and palm oil companies are the leaders in labors’ aspects,” Carter said.
By the program, Regency of Simalungun would be the pilot project for Indonesia and the world in the protection, respect, and human resource (labor) development. The program would confirm that there would be no child worker, there would be gender equity, decent work, awareness of work health and safety, and social guarantees.
By the supports that come from USA through ILO, Regency of Simalungun should be the successful pilot project in fair and sustainable palm oil industries to deliver the good advantages for the workers (labors), smallholders, and the people. (P2)
