REGIONAL GOVERNMENT POLICY IN IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF PALM WORKERS IN MERAUKE DISTRICT

Abstract

The growth of the palm oil industry in Indonesia has been rapid every year, evident from the palm oil production that has increased by more than 300% since 2008. In 2022, Indonesia has become the world's largest palm oil producer, yielding 45.50 million tons. Papua is one of the regions with the highest palm oil production in Indonesia, with a yield of 693 thousand tons in 2021. However, despite the remarkable contribution to Indonesia's economy, it has not translated into prosperity for palm oil workers scattered across various regions. According to the Directorate General of Plantations in 2018, the workforce in the palm oil sector was 10.4 million, with 70% of them being workers without job security (daily laborers, contract workers, piece-rate workers, and outsourcing). Workers without job security, or palm oil workers, which will be the focus of this writing, are highly vulnerable to labor exploitation, low wages, and government policy inconsistencies in improving their welfare remain a common issue. In Papua, palm oil workers still struggle with minimal wages and the absence of clear government policies that can protect them from companies that do not provide proper rights. This research will focus on analyzing the appropriate policy model for the government in Merauke Regency, the largest palm oil-producing area in Papua, as an effort to improve the welfare of palm oil workers in the region. The author has previously conducted research on improving the quality of public services and community empowerment, titled "Policy Model for Community Development Based on Local Wisdom in Baad Village, Anim Ha District," "Efforts to Improve the Quality of Service in Birth Certificates at the Population and Civil Registry Office in Nagakeo Regency, NTT," and "Community Empowerment Strategies in the Utilization of Village Funds in Kabaena District, Bombana Regency." Therefore, this research is a continuation of the previous studies. This research uses a qualitative method combined with field studies. The first stage involves gathering literature sources, both primary and secondary, followed by the second stage, which includes field studies, observations, documentation, and interviews with respondents. The results are then interpreted to generate knowledge for drawing conclusions. The expected outcome of this research is to produce a policy reference draft for the government to find a model for improving the welfare of palm oil workers in Merauke Regency