InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The palm oil industry is often hailed as a major pillar of Indonesia's economy. Its contribution to state foreign exchange, regional development, and job creation is undeniable. However, behind these positive figures, the potential for human rights violations remains a persistent and debated issue.
This was affirmed by Wahyu Wagiman, a lawyer and Executive Director of ELSAM from 2016–2020. According to him, palm oil has had a dual impact on the nation: positive from an economic standpoint, but also leaving a trail of serious problems on the ground. "The existence of palm oil plantations cannot be denied. Their contribution is real, but their potential negative impacts—ranging from land conflicts, unequal relationships between companies and communities, to environmental issues—also cannot be ignored," he said during a public discussion by Visi Integritas and MSW Law Office, attended by InfoSAWIT on Tuesday (9/2/2025).
Indonesia actually has sufficient legal instruments to prevent human rights violations. From the 1945 Constitution, the Human Rights Law, to the ratification of eight of the nine international instruments, all have been integrated into the national legal mechanism. Moreover, many palm oil companies are members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which requires compliance with sustainability standards. However, according to Wahyu, violations continue to occur due to weak supervision and governance.
Various reports from Komnas HAM and national and international non-governmental organizations show a similar pattern: land conflicts, illegal evictions, criminalization of farmers, and even forced labor and child labor practices. "These facts are not just myths. From Sumatra to Papua, from Sulawesi to Kalimantan, similar cases continue to emerge and are reported to various institutions, including Komnas HAM, LBH (Legal Aid Institute), and even UN mechanisms," Wahyu stressed.
In addition, the working conditions of plantation workers are often an issue. Long working hours, wages below the minimum regional wage, minimal health and safety protection, and the involvement of children and family members in the harvesting process are still found. On the environmental side, practices of deforestation, unmanaged waste, and repeated forest fires add to the long list of problems that must be addressed.
"Mitigation is the key word. Palm oil indeed brings economic blessings, but without strong governance and respect for human rights, that contribution could turn into a boomerang," Wahyu concluded. (T2)
