PALMOILMAGAZINE, PONTIANAK – As West Kalimantan pushes to become a leader in sustainable development, one critical issue in the region’s palm oil industry remains unresolved: the protection of workers’ rights. This concern was spotlighted in a recent broadcast by RRI Pro 1 Pontianak titled “Fulfilling Workers’ Rights to Achieve Sustainable Palm Oil Plantations and SDG Targets.”
One of the strongest voices came from Nelly Yusnita, Head of the West Kalimantan Secretariat of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM). She revealed that complaints continue to pour in from workers and communities affected by palm oil operations.
“The issues are diverse—ranging from land disputes and unilateral layoffs, to lack of healthcare coverage, poor working conditions, and workers unaware of how their wages are calculated,” Nelly stated, as reported by Palmoilmagazine.com from the official Komnas HAM site (April 22, 2025).
She also highlighted the lack of space for basic rights such as unionizing and expressing opinions. This was echoed by Prof. Irjat Sudrajat from the Faculty of Agriculture at Tanjungpura University, who cited on-the-ground violations including child labor, inadequate wages, and unpaid severance.
“There’s still a wide gap between employers and workers, which opens the door to potential labor exploitation,” he noted.
Despite the challenges, there is still room for optimism. Bayu Sefdiantoro from Teraju Indonesia emphasized the importance of establishing Bipartite Cooperation Institutions (LKS Bipartit) within companies to resolve disputes through dialogue. If that fails, the government is ready to step in through the Manpower and Transmigration Office.
“If bipartite negotiations fail, mediators will facilitate tripartite discussions,” explained Hermanus, Head of the West Kalimantan Manpower and Transmigration Office.
Representing the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) West Kalimantan chapter, Budiono acknowledged the realities on the ground but reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to following regulations.
“The rules are clear. We also want to avoid prolonged conflict because it threatens business continuity,” he asserted.
In closing, Nelly Yusnita reminded all stakeholders that the responsibility of protecting workers does not rest solely on companies—it is also the state’s duty.
“The SDGs will remain out of reach if we ignore human rights. Cross-sector dialogue is urgently needed,” she said.
Beneath the roar of machinery and vast palm oil landscapes, workers’ voices continue to call out—because true sustainability is not just about the environment and economy, but also about preserving human dignity. (P2)
