The palm oil industry has a strong commitment to realising the\nprinciple of equality for female workers, including in terms of fair\naccess, employment opportunities, and the fulfilment of labour rights\nwithout discrimination.<\/p>\n
In his statement today, Sumarjono Saragih, Chairman of the Human\nResource Development Division of the Indonesian Palm Oil Entrepreneurs\nAssociation (GAPKI), stated that the palm oil industry continues to\nstrive to optimise human resource potential, including female workers.\nHe emphasised that the principle of equality in the palm oil industry is\nrealised while still considering aspects of women\u2019s uniqueness.<\/p>\n
\u201cOpportunities to get jobs must indeed be equal, but we also have to\nconsider women\u2019s uniqueness from the aspect of job suitability to\nwomen\u2019s physical strength. So, equality does not mean 50:50,\u201d said\nSumarjono Saragih in Jakarta today.<\/p>\n
He explained that female workers in the palm oil industry generally\nwork in maintenance and administration sections that relatively have a\nlighter physical workload. In the upstream sector, women work as\nharvesters and collectors of loose fruit. Meanwhile, in the downstream\nsector, women become cooperative members or plasma land managers.<\/p>\n
The Palm Oil Farmers Union (SPKS) states that 86% of the workforce in\nthe palm oil production process is dominated by women, especially in the\nearly stages of the supply chain. They are heavily involved in\nactivities such as fertilising, weeding, pesticide spraying, to\ncollecting palm oil harvest results.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot all job fields are suitable for all genders. During harvest, it\nrequires stronger physical strength so usually men are more suitable for\nthat,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Regarding labour protection aspects, he assured that there is no\ndifference in treatment between male and female workers. According to\nhim, protection and fulfilment of rights are basic rights of every\nworker that must be given equally regardless of gender.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough women have their own uniqueness related to reproduction\nsuch as maternity leave and menstrual leave. However, those that are\nuniversal rights, rights to social security, rights to safe working\nconditions, are the same between men and women,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n
Sumarjono added that the palm oil industry has initiated the\nformation of women\u2019s committees in the work environment as an effort to\nensure optimal gender equality. The existence of these committees plays\nan important role in early detection as well as preventing various risks\nthat can harm, endanger, or reduce the fulfilment of women\u2019s labour\nrights.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there is a woman in the board of directors, she is the leader.\nThis is a forum or group in the workplace to accommodate aspirations,\ncomplaints, grievances of female workers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Finally, he urged the government, especially the Plantation Fund\nManagement Agency (BPDP), to continue supporting the mainstreaming of\ngender sustainably so that a work environment is created that supports\nthe full development of each individual\u2019s potential, without\ndiscrimination.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere must be continuous movement because building awareness, making\na culture of respect and equality is a process that must be done\nsustainably. It cannot be just once,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/commitment-to-achieving-equality-for-female-workers-in-the-palm-oil-industry-1774533115", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }