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BPJS Ketenagakerjaan calls on oil palm companies to improve labor protection
The Pontianak Workers Social Security Agency (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) advised oil palm companies to create a better labor protection system for their workers as social security coverage in the sector remains low.
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This picture taken on Feb. 14, 2017, shows palm oil seeds in Kendawangan, West Kalimantan. The Pontianak Workers Social Security Agency (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) warned oil palm companies on Tuesday to improve labor protection for their workers as social security coverage in the sector remains low. (AFP/Adek Berry)
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ontianak office head for the Workers Social Security Agency (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) Ryan Gustaviana reminded oil palm companies to provide better labor protection for their employees, noting that BPJS Ketenagakerjaan coverage remains low in the oil palm sector.
"Compliance within the oil palm plantation sector to include workforce members in social protection initiatives is still low and this is not only happening in West Kalimantan but also on the national level," he said on Tuesday, as quoted by the Antara news agency.
Ryan highlighted the precarious employment conditions at oil palm plantations with part-time workers frequently facing uncertainty.
In some cases, he added, these part-timers were limited to only five days of work a month and received minimum wage.
"We still hope that these workers can be protected through social security protection programs,” Ryan said.
“Regional administrations can take the lead in initiating this using oil palm profit-sharing funds from the central government.”
Ryan emphasized the importance of social security protection in the oil palm sector because it uses a larger workforce when compared to the capital-intensive mining sector, which uses more machinery and advanced technology.
