GAPKI: Women’s Rights Protected, Child Labor Allegations Often Misleading

Palm Oil Magazine
Marja Yulianti, Head of the Women Workers & Child Protection Division at GAPKI. Photo by: Palmoilmagazine.com/Forwatan

PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — Marja Yulianti, Head of the Women Workers & Child Protection Division at GAPKI, said that the association’s 758 member companies continue to invest in programs that protect women workers. These include occupational safety training, PPE distribution, community health services, early childhood education centers, lactation rooms, and Women’s Protection Houses (RP3).

Marja also clarified misconceptions about women’s wages. “Wage differences generally stem from different working hours. For permanent employees, the wage standard is the same,” she stated at the Forum Wartawan Pertanian (Forwatan) discussion themed “Palm Oil Industry Protecting Women and Eliminating Child Labor”, in Jakarta on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, attended by Palmoilmagazine.com.

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On child labor accusations, Marja said many are inaccurate and often weaponized as part of black campaigns against the palm oil industry. Children sometimes accompany their parents due to lack of supervision at home and are photographed without context.

Also Read: Baginda Siagian: Palm Oil Drives 3.5% of Indonesia’s GDP and Powers the Energy Transition, but Sustainability Will Decide Its Future

“These accusations harm companies. About 69% of GAPKI members are ISPO-certified, a clear indicator that protections for women and children are strengthening,” she emphasized. (P3)

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