PALMOILMAGAZINE, SANGATTA — The East Kutai Regency Government (Pemkab Kutim) facilitated a public hearing (RDP) on Wednesday between the Federation of Militant Workers Union (FPBM-KASBI) and several palm oil companies operating in the region. Held at Ruang Arau, Kutim Regent’s Office, the meeting aimed to find constructive solutions to labor issues increasingly reported from the field.
Attending companies included PT Gunta Samba, PT Nusaraya Agro Sawit (NAS), PT Kalimantan Agro Nusantara (Kalianusa), PT Telen, and PT Dinamika Prima Artha. Local officials present were Vice Regent Mahyunadi, Assistant for Social Welfare Poniso Suryo Renggono, Manpower Office Head Roma Malau, and representatives from BPJS Employment, Cooperatives and MSME Office, Plantation Office, and Environmental Office.
Andre, Chair of FPBM-KASBI Kutim, opened the forum by stressing that the event was not a confrontation, but rather a platform to seek justice for workers and build fair, humane industrial relations.
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“There should be no industrial relationship built on conflict. The goal is to develop a relationship based on harmony and respect,” said Andre, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com from the official Kutai Timur government website, Friday (July 11, 2025).
Andre described field conditions as a “cat and mouse” dynamic between workers and companies. According to him, the law clearly mandates a balanced, conflict-free employment relationship based on mutual respect.
He outlined key issues faced by palm oil workers, including unpaid severance following layoffs, denied maternity leave for female workers, and substandard welfare conditions.
“This isn’t just a legal matter—it’s a matter of survival. If workers don’t receive their rights, how are they supposed to eat?” he said.
Andre urged companies not to delay fulfilling basic worker rights pending legal proceedings. “Don’t wait for a final court decision to fulfill your basic obligations to workers,” he added.
In response, each company representative was given the opportunity to clarify their positions and committed to resolving complaints within a mutually agreed timeframe.
Vice Regent Mahyunadi praised the constructive engagement from both the unions and the companies, acknowledging FPBM-KASBI’s constitutional role in advocating for labor rights.
“Thank you to both the companies and the union for never giving up on voicing workers’ aspirations within legal boundaries,” he said.
Mahyunadi also emphasized that the initiative was purely government-driven for public welfare, not a political maneuver as sometimes misperceived.
“When government officials step in, it’s often assumed to be political. But this is purely about defending people’s rights,” he clarified.
He stressed the importance of honoring the agreements reached and called for accountability from all parties. “If you’re given 10 days to resolve an issue, then it must be resolved in 10 days. The key is to keep investment in Kutim secure while ensuring workers’ rights are upheld under the law,” he concluded. (P2)
