Press Release

Press Release

Commemorating International Labor Day, the Federation of Palm Oil Plantation Workers in West Kalimantan conducted a Peaceful Demonstration.

 

May 1st is a historic day for workers worldwide. On May 2nd, 2024, the Federation of Palm Oil Plantation Labor Unions in West Kalimantan, which is part of the Alliance of Palm Oil Plantation Labor Unions in Kalimantan and the Palm Oil Labor Coalition, commemorated International Labor Day by conducting a peaceful demonstration. Their target was the West Kalimantan Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD).

Yublina Yuliana Oematan, the Chairperson of the Federation of Palm Oil Plantation Labor Union, passionately conveyed the dire conditions of palm oil plantation workers in West Kalimantan and firmly stated that many palm oil plantation companies are violating labor laws and regulations in Indonesia. These violations include neglecting health and safety regulations, paying below minimum wage, uncertain employment status, lack of wage scales and structures, unilateral termination of employment, criminalization, absence of maternity leave, failure to register workers with the Health and Labor Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan dan Tenaga Kerja), and anti-union practices.
The Secretary-General of the Federation of Palm Oil Plantation Workers in West Kalimantan, Firman, as the rally coordinator alongside the Federation Chairperson and 10 labor union representatives, presented their demands to the representatives of the West Kalimantan Provincial Legislative Council. The demands were accepted by the representatives and will be followed up by the Council with a planned meeting on May 14th, 2024. This meeting will involve representatives from the Federation, provincial and district labor departments, and relevant organizations advocating for workers’ rights.
Therefore, the history of the May Day labor victory is not just an annual commemoration but also focuses on the voices of overlooked workers. Starting from the genuine awareness of the rights of the masses in the Federation of Palm Oil Plantation Workers in West Kalimantan and the Palm Oil Labor Union Alliance of Kalimantan, several demands were made:
  1. To the government, particularly the Ministry of Manpower, the Manpower and Transmigration Office, and the Labor Agencies of West Kalimantan, to monitor and evaluate palm oil plantation companies. This is due to the persisting issues such as wages below minimum standards, unclear employment statuses, inadequate implementation of occupational health and safety (OSH) regulations, lack of fulfillment of women workers’ rights, including maternity leave, and insufficient periodic health checks, especially for workers exposed to chemicals. Provide fair wages, job security, and ensure occupational health and safety (OHS) measures.
  2. To the government, to promptly enact a draft law on the protection of palm oil workers into law.
  3. To the government and districts, to expedite the discussion and approval of regulations protecting palm oil workers.
  4. To companies and law enforcement agencies, to cease all forms of intervention and intimidation against labor organizations, human rights activists, and the environment. Such interventions and intimidations hinder efforts towards achieving fair palm oil plantations.
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