Education and Organizing for the Struggle for Workers' Rights in West Kalimantan

Following the formation of the West Kalimantan Regional KASBI in November 2024, efforts to strengthen ideology and expand the organizational structure through education and training have continued through labor organizing in several palm oil companies in Sambas Regency and Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan. As a result, currently five member labor unions (SBA) of KASBI have been formed in the West Kalimantan region consisting of the Borneo Raya Workers Union (SPBR) of PT Wana Hijau Semesta 1, the Borneo Raya Workers Union (SPBR) of PT Wana Hijau Semesta 2, the Borneo Raya Workers Union (SPBR) of PT Wana Hijau Semesta 3, the Borneo Raya Workers Union (SPBR) of PT Teluk Keramat, and the Borneo Raya Workers Union (SPBR) of PT Wiratadaya Bangun Persada. Not only that, the five SBAs then succeeded in forming the Federation of Borneo Raya Workers Unions (F-SPBR).

However, unfortunately, various problems faced by palm oil plantation workers in West Kalimantan still often occur, including the lack of certainty of employment relationships, workers' wages are still below the provisions, a target work system that causes exploitation of workers and their families, the company does not provide work tools, the Minimum Wage set by the government is still low (Rp. 3,3 million to Rp. 3,8 million per month), and the role of the Labor Inspectorate is less than optimal in guaranteeing the protection of workers' rights and others.

Most recently, in February 2025, 2.000 palm oil plantation workers across 20 companies (13 in Bengkayang Regency and 7 in Sambas Regency) experienced mass layoffs. One of the reasons was that the 20 palm oil companies were confiscated by the Attorney General's Office because the company owners were implicated in a corruption case determined by the Central Jakarta District Court. As a result, 800 children were unable to continue their education because all activities in the plantation area were suspended, including schools in the area. Furthermore, plantation workers were denied their rights for three months, impacting their livelihoods and their fate remains unclear to this day.

Therefore, the West Kalimantan branch of the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (KASBI) is renewing its initiative to strengthen its ideology and organization through education, training, and union consolidation in West Kalimantan. This includes ensuring that the union's membership increases among palm oil workers, allowing them to fight for their labor issues with the union, empowering them to gain a better bargaining position in accordance with the law. The goal is to realize a fair and decent work system, decent wages, and the fulfillment of workers' rights in West Kalimantan. As a result, 360 union members have increased their knowledge and awareness of the importance of fighting for workers' rights. Furthermore, labor education has produced a cadre of male and female activists ready to lead the ongoing struggle for workers' rights and expand the organization. Another impact is that the union has successfully pushed the company to repay the wages of previously laid-off workers in accordance with regulations, ensuring certainty of employment relationships, and ensuring the payment of other workers' rights after the layoffs. The remaining balance is still being pursued by the union.