Mataram – The palm oil sector serves as a significant contributor to the national economies of Indonesia and Malaysia, accounting for 1.5-2.5% of Indonesia’s GDP and 2.7% of Malaysia’s GDP. Additionally, the industry plays a crucial role in providing employment and income to millions of individuals. In Indonesia alone, over 6 million workers are employed in palm oil plantations with a substantial number of workers involved in the palm oil supply chain. The industry offers significant opportunities for migrant workers from various countries, such as Bangladesh, Nepal, India, particularly Indonesia. 

To further protect Indonesian migrant workers in the palm oil sector, particularly those from West Nusa Tenggara Province (NTB), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is conducting a training to enhance the capacities of Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) instructors, labour inspectors, trade union organizations, and non-governmental organizations in delivering pre-departure orientation sessions to Indonesian Migrant Workers (IMWs) prior to their deployment to Malaysia. The training was held in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, on 9-11 July, and participated by more than 60 representatives of government and non-government institutions.

The head of BP3MI NTB, Noerman Adhiguna emphasized the crucial need for the PDO session due to the significant number of migrant workers from NTB province in the palm oil sector. “This training is essential for enhancing the capacity of BP3MI trainers, the Manpower Office, and NGOs to equip prospective migrant workers with vital information and knowledge necessary for their employment in palm oil plantations in Malaysia. This includes understanding the palm oil supply chain, employment insurance, and occupational health and safety,” he said. During the training, participants were divided into five groups where each group was required to develop a teaching plan. After that, the entire class was having a simulation where one representative from each group demonstrated and rehearsed their teaching plan for fifteen minutes as if it they were actually delivering a PDO session while other participants pretended to be migrant workers.

Mucharom Ashadi, Director of Non-Governmental Placement in the Asia-Africa region of BP2MI Jakarta highlighted that the former PDO module is still not sufficient and fails to address the actual challenges that migrant workers will face in their jobs. “In partnership with IOM, a new module has been developed to supplement the existing PDO sessions. The aim is to specifically cover the sector and the country where the migrant workers will be employed, which is palm oil sector in Malaysia. This initiative is in line with the requirements under the Law No. 18/2017 on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers that requires the government, at all levels from national to village, to provide information and socialization regarding the placement and protection of migrant workers,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Eny Rofiatul Ngazizah, National Project Officer of IOM Indonesia also stated that one of the steps to mitigate the risk of forced labour and ensure safe migration is to provide accurate and accessible information before departure to the country of deployment. “By having access to such information, IMWs can understand the standards of safe work, be aware of the hazards, rights, and responsibilities of workers while working in plantations, and avoid the risk of forced labour or becoming victims of trafficking. IOM Indonesia recorded between 2005-2023, there were 317 migrant workers identified as Victim of Trafficking in the palm oil sector. Alongside the government, non-governmental organizations and local communities who accompany migrant workers also have a crucial role in providing information in a friendly and approachable manner,” she explained.

The Director of the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Manpower and Transmigration Office, I Gede Putu Aryadi extended appreciation to BP3MI NTB and IOM Indonesia for their initiative to empower IMWs. “Provision of accurate information to IMWs regarding international work opportunities is expected to minimize the prevalence of brokers in the field. Furthermore, adequately empowered IMWs are anticipated to uphold safety and increase productivity in their workplaces,” he said. Under the People Positive Palm Project: Mitigating Forced Labor Risks, Promoting Responsible Recruitment and Fair Employment Practices funded by the Consumer Goods Forum – Human Rights Coalition (CGF-HRC), IOM Indonesia supported the Government of Indonesia effort to eradicate forced labour practices in supply chains, promote ethical recruitment, and assist the plantation sector in Malaysia in detecting exploitative labour practices in the supply chains of CGF-HRC member companies.