Photo: The palm oil sector cannot stand on its own. Its existence and longevity are supported by a wide variety of professions
SOUTH PAPUA – As a labor-intensive industry, oil palm plantation helps drive economic growth on a regional and national scale. Raising oil palms is considered a profitable business in Indonesia due to the commodity’s relatively low price and abundant supply all year round.
Agriculture Ministry data as processed by Statistics Indonesia showed there were 14.9 million hectares of oil palm farms in the country in 2022. Out of them, 158,900 hectares are concentrated in Papua.
These farms are managed by a handful of companies, including Dongin Prabhawa, whom the Forestry Ministry (now Environment and Forestry Ministry) granted 34,057,90 hectares of converted forested areas (based on Merauke Regency’s data last year). This expanse of land has become an economic driving force for local communities and the firm’s non-Papuan employees.
Aside from the plantation, Dongin Prabhawa has a palm oil mill established in 2016. It is where the company processes its fresh fruit bunches into crude palm oil and palm kernels.
At these facilities, indigenous people are given equal opportunities to fill various positions, whether in the office or the field.
“Our indigenous labor force is spread across departments and jobs that are in line with their skills, like farm manager, farm supervisor, foreman, and office staff,” said Habibi, Dongin Prabhawa’s PR official.
Last May, this group accounted for 35.43% of the company’s workforce, a percentage made possible thanks to Dongin’s location between the regencies of Mappi and Merauke, where multiple villages are located.
Wages for these workers are given in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Indigenous employees also receive similar facilities provided to peers from other regions, like dormitory accommodations, free water and electricity, and health insurance.
Native staff Yohannis Samkakai is a testament to this. Joining the company has brought good things to him and his family.
“Not long after joining, we started seeing a difference in our finances. The income we receive makes it easier to buy the things we need.”
On top of creating employment for locals, Dongin Prabhawa participates in community development programs through the Corporate Social Contribution (CSC). Today, the business world no longer focuses on financial growth, but on keys to sustainable development like society and the environment. This makes initiatives like CSC important. (*)
