IPOWU delegation visits trade union at Indonesian palm oil plantation PT Patiware

The PT Patiware palm oil plantation in Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan, received a visit from a delegation of the International Palm Oil Workers Union (IPOWU) in September. Trade union members and leaders expressed their concerns about working conditions and the freedom of association.

The visit, which took place on 11 September, was attended by international delegates from Ghana, Colombia and the Netherlands, as well as representatives of palm oil trade unions in Jakarta and other Indonesian cities. The delegation met with PT Patiware employees, who showed them around the plantation, the factory and the company's owl sanctuary. The event concluded with a meeting between the delegates and the PT Patiware trade union. Asdiansyah, a member of the Indonesian trade union association GSBI at PT Patiware, explained how the company treats its employees. He mentioned the ongoing wage issues faced by workers.

Less than the minimum wage

Despite the 2024 decree by the governor of West Kalimantan, which set a sectoral minimum wage (UMSK) for palm oil workers in Bengkayang, many harvesters still earn less than the UMSK. This is due to the numerous deductions workers face if they fail to meet the set quotas. Asdiansyah, often referred to as Asdi, explained that the company's daily quota for harvesters is quite high. For example, the company sets a daily target of 110 bundles. If a harvester fails to meet this target, they are put to work on clearing the plantation, with a target of 5 hectares. "That standard is too high. It puts pressure on the workforce," said Asdi. Employees often call on their wives and children to help meet the quotas, without being paid.”

Intimidation and interference

During the meeting with the IPOWU delegation, Asdi also discussed the problems faced by trade unions. Although PT Patiware does not prohibit its workers from joining a trade union, they do face intimidation and interference after joining GSBI. "One of our employees, one of our members, was intimidated after attending a workshop in Jakarta and was immediately transferred to maintenance," said Asdi. The company suddenly transferred the administrative assistant to maintenance, on the grounds that they needed extra staff in that area.

Asdi attributed this arbitrary action to the union activities in Jakarta. "During the workshop, we studied labour and workers' rights. I told them that their skills were not suitable for maintenance." After Asdi spoke with the company, the employee returned to their job as administrative assistant.

Three days of strike action

The company's interference was also challenged through legal channels. In February 2021, palm oil workers from two trade unions (Hukatan-KSBSI and GSBI) presented their demands outside the PT Patiware office. The workers also went on strike for three days, demanding that PT Patiware implement the West Kalimantan governor's decision on the minimum wage for 2021.

Prosecuted for incitement

The strike stemmed from a memorandum from the company stating that the governor was no longer authorized to set the regional minimum wage (UMSK), whose level needed to be adjusted. Asdi: "We reached an impasse and went on strike for three days. Five trade union leaders from Hukatan and GSBI, among others, were dismissed. After the dismissals, two GSBI members and one Hukatan member were charged with incitement.” When GSBI was summoned by the West Kalimantan regional police, the union stated that they had not been involved in sedition, but in standing up for workers’ rights. Although the company eventually dropped the charges after mediation with the union and the regent of Bengkayang, Asdi considers this action as a form of intimidation by the company to weaken the trade union movement.

International policy

During the meeting with the IPOWU delegation, GSBI Chair Rudi HB Daman stated that the delegation's support in the form of solidarity between palm oil unions could increase the motivation of the workers. It showed them that they are not alone in their struggle, and that these abuses also occur in Colombia and Ghana, particularly in the context of plantation work.

Rudi hopes that IPOWU becomes an international federation of palm oil trade unions, specifically for the palm oil sector, which can defend the rights of palm oil workers in international forums. "The palm oil issue is not limited to Indonesia but is also closely linked to international policy. The market is international. There are even investments here from companies in France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. That is why there is also a need for an international movement for palm oil workers."

Text: Steven Handoko