PALMOILMAGAZINE, BANGKOK – The Head of North Sumatra’s Manpower Office, M. Ismael P. Sinaga, participated in the Talkshow on Labor Welfare in Oil Palm Plantations in Bangkok on Monday (11/11/2024). The event provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and propose solutions to enhance the welfare of workers in the palm oil plantation sector.
In his remarks, Ismael expressed appreciation for the event and encouraged similar discussions to be held annually, covering not just the palm oil industry but other sectors as well. “Forums like this are crucial for improving workers’ quality of life and maintaining the competitiveness of our products in the global market,” he said.
Ismael emphasized the critical role of the government in ensuring worker welfare and sustaining palm oil’s price competitiveness. He highlighted the inclusion of palm oil industry downstreaming in President Joko Widodo’s “Asta Cita” vision as a strategic move to enhance Indonesia’s economic value.
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As quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com via North Sumatra’s Disnaker office on Wednesday (13/11/2024), Ismael outlined four pillars of the *Asta Cita* vision prioritized to foster a robust and equitable economy in the palm oil sector:
- Equitable Benefit Distribution: Ensuring plantation workers share in the industry’s prosperity.
- Quality Education Access: Providing vocational training and skills development programs.
- Transparent Governance: Strengthening oversight to eliminate illegal practices in plantations.
- Enhanced Health Services: Improving healthcare access for plantation workers.
Ismael reiterated that these initiatives are integral to driving economic equity and supporting sustainable development in the palm oil sector. “North Sumatra, Riau, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan are potential regions for the development of palm oil downstreaming in Indonesia,” Ismael said, highlighting the great potential that these regions have to support the vision of downstreaming and the welfare of oil palm plantation workers at the national level.
Through this activity, Ismael hopes to strengthen the synergy between the government, business players, and international organizations in realizing a competitive palm oil plantation and supporting the welfare of its workers. (P2)
