Research on Spraying in the Palm Oil Sector Reveals Many Hazardous Substances
At least 56 different agricultural chemicals are used on plantations in Colombia, Indonesia, and Ghana.
Among them are substances classified as highly hazardous by the World Health Organization. The EU-banned paraquat is still exported to Indonesia from the same EU. These are some findings of a large-scale investigation.
The report, titled "OSH in oil palm plantations, Workers’ risk of exposure to agrochemicals in Colombia, Ghana, and Indonesia," was conducted by the research agency Profundo on behalf of the International Palm Oil Workers United (IPOWU), with financial support from Mondiaal FNV. In addition to desk research, the study was conducted among 1,436 workers on oil palm plantations in Colombia, Ghana, and Indonesia to map their risk of exposure to agrochemicals. Some notable findings include:
- There is still no comprehensive policy for chemical safety and health at work, resulting in workers lacking proper health monitoring, safety training, or protective clothing;
- None of the three countries have ratified key and relevant ILO conventions;
- International palm oil buyers do not require specific OHS policies from their suppliers;
- Many of the surveyed workers, all of whom are exposed to pesticides, are unaware of the dangers of exposure;
- The surveyed workers mentioned a total of 56 different agricultural chemicals used on the plantations. Among these, at least two are classified as "highly hazardous" by the World Health Organization;
- The EU has banned the use of paraquat on its own soil since 2007 but remains a major exporter of this pesticide to Indonesia;
- Most workers indicated that they received personal protective equipment (PPE) from their employers, but a significant portion also reported that broken equipment is not replaced;
- Access to washing facilities for PPE is limited, making it difficult for many workers to properly clean their protective gear;
- Workers with less than a year of service reported better health than those who had been employed for 15 years or more.
Diana Quiroz is a senior researcher at Profundo and led this research. Together with some colleagues and union members in the three countries, she worked for about a year on the study. “We do not intend to blame or shame,” she says. “We seek a constructive dialogue to improve working conditions in the palm oil sector.” And that dialogue should preferably take place between the workers, the plantation owners, the governments, the buyers, and the RSPO—the organization that tries to make palm oil sustainable.
Laws do exist in the three investigated countries, but they are poorly enforced, says Quiroz. “Colombia has good laws, Indonesia and Ghana somewhat less so. But labor inspections lack manpower. Indonesia is also very vast, with many islands and hard-to-reach plantations.”
Quiroz is upset about the EU's double standards: banning paraquat but still producing and exporting it to Indonesia. “That is unacceptable! That the EU protects its own citizens but not the rest of the world. The EU does not show much compassion for people in the supply chain. At the same time, we see that Colombia allows certain chemicals under specific and controlled conditions on palm oil and other commercial plantations, which eventually end up in the palm oil that we import. So that protection is not watertight at all.”
Most Shocking Findings and Health Risks
Of all the findings in the report, Quiroz finds the continued use of banned chemicals the most shocking. “I did not expect that not all plantations have washing facilities for the workers' protective clothing. So, they can't wash their gear on-site, and they bring it home, exposing their families. There are even reports of people washing their protective clothing in nearby, flowing rivers, potentially contaminating the whole area. This happens on a small scale in Colombia and on a larger scale in Indonesia.”
Most workers exposed to pesticides and chemicals do not report health issues. “But we saw: the longer workers were employed on a plantation, the more physical complaints they had. I’m talking about skin rashes, dizziness, vomiting. The ILO recommends giving workers medical check-ups from their first day of work and continuing to monitor this. Many employers do not do this, and even if they do, the results are often not shared with the workers. Sometimes, a worker is even transferred to another position without explanation.”
The report ends with a series of recommendations for workers, plantation owners, governments, buyers, and the RSPO. Quiroz highlights the most urgent: “Ratifying the key ILO conventions and ensuring appropriate legislation. This serves as a statement, a message from a government that could have a positive impact on workers’ rights. Governments should also ensure there are enough qualified inspectors to enforce the laws. Additionally, the EU must stop the production and export of paraquat.”
Union Actions Based on the Findings
The trade unions affiliated with the International Palm Oil Workers United (IPOWU) have started working on the outcomes of the report:
International: A Zoom meeting was held with RSPO representatives where the research findings were presented. The unions were then invited to speak with local RSPO offices in the three countries, and they are set to work on the newly established criteria. IPOWU is expected to provide input on the guidelines regarding pesticide use.
- Ghana: The unions met with Unilever’s subsidiary Wilmar and discussed the research findings. They agreed to continue the dialogue and develop awareness activities. There was also a meeting with the highest decision-making body, the NEC, to discuss the report. The union has decided to use the results for campaigning and lobbying for the completion of the National Health and Safety Policy at the workplace.
- Indonesia: Various events were organized to bring attention to the research findings, also with multiple stakeholders. The SPMN union in Central Kalimantan shared the research with the company. Surveyors are being trained to further roll out the research and develop guidelines around the safety risks of agricultural chemicals.
- Colombia: The unions entered into discussions with the management of as many companies as possible and presented the research findings. They plan to include as many points as possible in collective bargaining agreements.
- The Netherlands: FNV approached companies that sell, transport, or process palm oil products, such as LIDL Netherlands, Cargill, and SD Guthrie, a palm oil refinery in Zwijndrecht. This has not yet led to talks, but invitations are expected from the latter two. A presentation of the research will soon be given to several members of MVO Netherlands.
Text: Astrid van Unen