Chief Executive Officer of RSPO Darrel Webber said here on Thursday that one important point in the draft P&C 2018 is the strengthening of human rights and rights of workers in the palm oil sector.
The 16th annual Conference of RSPO on Sustainable Palm Oil invited representatives of palm oil industry to discuss new challenges and opportunities faced by sustainable palm oil supply and important elements in view point of the Principles and Criteria(P&C) of RSPO.
"Review of the Principles and Criteria of RSPO 2018 such as stoppage of deforestation, protection of peat lands, strengthening protection for human rights and labors and development of additional and special standards for self supporting small farmers to be ratified in November this year," Darrel said.
Darrel said in the 16th annual conference of RSPO, members of the 15th annual general session of RSPO (GA15) from all stakeholders of palm oil industry gather to cast vote in a number of resolutions including revision of proposed P&C to be approved ans passed on Thursday into P&C of RSPO 2018.
The P&C of RSPO 2018 after being approved and adopted by the member countries of RSPO would become the Principles and Criteria of RSPO containing new standards for sustainable palm oil.
Director of Program of Proforest Bilge Daldeniz said RSPO has formed a Labour Task Force (LTF) to accommodate all inputs and recommendations related to the welfare of palm oil workers.
LTF also ensures the use of new standards in P&C of RSPO 2018 related to the rights of workers implemented in the fields.
"RSPO always pays special attention to human rights and we have the policy on that both in mechanism of complaint, confidentiality and there is a clause that intimidation on workers should be minimized," Bilge said.
In the draft P&C of RSPO 2018, the standards of human right protection for all members of RSPO are increased such as in the form of ban on forced labor, community and worker empowerment to ensure that the rights of local traditional community involved in the process of palm oil production are protected.
"As for wages considered reasonable for workers, the LTF of RSPO has provided guideline for implementation and it is very simple. RSPO will set limit for minimum wage in countries where there has not been such system," Bilge.
In addition, new standards also provide better protection for human rights defenders, increase attentions to vulnerable groups of workers such as migrant workers, refugees, women workers and young workers. and simplify working conditions including freedom to for labor union.
RSPO also has developed new policy for its members about protection of rights defenders and those reporting human rights violation. The new policy covers procedure to enable human right defenders to register their worries through a Panel of Complaints of RSPO without giving the identities with guaranteed confidentiality.
Reporting by Mentari Dwi Gayati
Editing by Albert Saragih, Rahmad Nasution
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
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