Women workers in palm oil industries: a violation of human rights?

Palm oil is an essential commodity that is quite versatile. It has a function foralmost everything, from potato chips to beauty products. It also ends up in the supply chains of some of the biggest names in the beauty industry, including L'Oréal, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Avon, and Johnson & Johnson. But behind those important uses of palm oil lies horrible facts about women workers in the industries. Women workers in palm oil industries act as the spearhead of palm oil production. They are in charge of some of the industry's most dangerous jobs, spending hours exposed to chemicals and carrying heavy loads such as fresh palm fruits. Subcontractors recruit workers on a day-to-day basis without benefits, let alone health insurance. They did the same-old jobs for the same companies for years. These women workers work in brutal conditions from discrimination, abuse, and harassment. This study uses a library research method and statutory approach. The Authors found an absence of policies in protecting women workers in palm oil industries. Based on the provisions of the Cedaw Convention, Article 3 emphasizes the core of the obligation of the state to make appropriate regulations in fulfilling women's rights, especially in this case are women workers working in oil palm plantations. Indonesia has ratified the Cedaw Convention into Law No.7 of 1984 on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The law has explicitly outlined women's rights, political civil rights, and social rights. However, women's rights have not been implemented optimally, either reflected in policies or government programs. The involvement of women as workers in palm oil plantations is a challenge, especially for the government as a policymaker, to protect and provide safety guarantees, especially to women workers.