TPOLS News Recap, May 2025: Between April and May 2025, at least three major issues circulated widely across various TPOLS social platforms, including WhatsApp Groups, Zoom, the website, YouTube, and other social media channels. These issues covered a range of interconnected topics: (1) The rejection of Indonesian military law, an expanded military role, mass layoffs, and the criminalization of peasants; (2) Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) issues, the mistreatment of migrant workers, and International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) 2025; and (3) Commemoration and suppression of May Day 2025.
The rejection of Indonesian military law, an expanded military role, mass layoffs, and the criminalization of peasants
At the end of March 2025, the enactment of the Indonesian Military Law prompted significant opposition in Indonesia. Due to the intensity of the unrest, the TPOLS Secretariat organized an online discussion on the topic: “The Threat of the Indonesian Military Law as a Tool to Control and Suppress the Voices of Workers and Peasants in Oil Palm Plantations.” This topic was selected because there have been numerous instances of military intervention in various regions of the TPOLS network, which have suppressed the voices of workers and peasants. During the discussion, resource persons shared their experiences related to military intervention in their respective areas. For example, Fatrisia spoke about how the Peasants of Forum Petani Plasma Buol (FPPB) demanded land rights, often facing military intervention and criminalization in Central Sulawesi. Firmansyah addressed the KASBI advocacy process in West Kalimantan concerning mass layoffs. Workers were increasingly experiencing uncertainty and were being silenced following the acquisition of plantations by PT Agrinas Palma Nusantara (APN), a state-owned company under military control. Rita Uwaka highlighted cases of violence and environmental destruction under the military regime in Nigeria. Several other participants also discussed instances of militarism in their regions, including Central Kalimantan and Papua.
Additionally, FPPB and KASBI West Kalimantan actively issue statements regarding cases of mass layoffs and the criminalization of peasants, which can be found on the TPOLS website. However, the ongoing campaigns and advocacy efforts by local unions and communities appear to be overlooked and suppressed by the increasing use of violence by the authorities. The heightened role and intervention of the military across various regions represent a significant setback for democracy in Indonesia, further threatening workers’ rights, leading to widespread mass layoffs, and contributing to the criminalization of peasants. In other words, a large-scale process of impoverishment is occurring in Indonesia.
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) issues, the mistreatment of migrant workers, and International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) 2025
As the military’s role strengthens, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) issues tend to be overlooked. In the TPOLS network, several campaigns and advocacy efforts related to labor health issues have emerged over the past two months. For instance, there have been reports of a food crisis and illnesses among workers laid off by PT Duta Palma in West Kalimantan. During the acquisition process by PT PT Agrinas Palma Nusantara (APN), these issues were not resolved, leading many workers and union leaders to leave the plantation without receiving their rightful entitlements. Additionally, strike action took place at PT Sarana Prima Multi Niaga (SPMN), where workers demanded improved medical services and treatment, including the dismissal of doctors who showed indifference to workers’ health concerns. Although a tripartite mediation eventually reached an agreement, members of the Indonesian Palm Oil Workers Union (SEPASI) and PT SPMN workers are now closely monitoring whether the health services and facilities at PT SPMN will improve, or if they are merely empty promises similar to those experienced by the workers of PT APN. OHS issues extend beyond workers who are still actively employed; they persist even after workers are deemed unnecessary, laid off by the company, and return to their villages, often as seen with migrant workers. The Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (SBMI) has reported numerous cases of migrant workers being abandoned when they fall ill or even dying after returning to their villages.
In preparation for the commemoration of International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) 2025, the TPOLS Secretariat facilitated an online discussion titled “Talking with Oil Palm and Mine Workers in Welcoming IWMD 2025.” This discussion aimed to provide a platform for sharing stories and experiences related to occupational safety and health (OSH) issues, which are being advocated by unions in Indonesia’s key economic sectors: palm oil and mining. The participating unions included Serikat Pekerja Sawit Indonesia (SEPASI), Serikat Buruh Sawit Sejahtera (SBSS), Serikat Buruh Kerakyatan (SERBUK) West Kalimantan, Serikat Buruh Industri Pertambangan dan Energi IMIP (SBIPE IMIP) Morowali, Serikat Organisasi Pekerja IWIP (SOPI) Halmahera, along with other participants who contributed their stories.
Commemoration and suppression of May Day 2025
In the TPOLS network, May Day has become a significant opportunity for palm oil workers to express their demands. On May Day 2025, both the commemoration and the events surrounding May Day were topics of extensive discussion. In the lead-up to May Day, the government proactively invited unions and various civil organizations to celebrate “Collaboration Day” as part of a Healthy Gymnastics event and prize distribution, rather than addressing the workers’ demands. In West Kalimantan, security forces visited the offices of civil organizations to ensure they would not disrupt the West Kalimantan Provincial Government’s May Day agenda. The TPOLS network rejected this approach and continued to commemorate May Day by displaying posters that highlighted the workers’ demands.
The TPOLS network shared photos related to mass actions, along with demand posters, videos, and press releases across various social media platforms. Contributions came from various organizations, including KASBI West Kalimantan, Serikat Pekerja Borneo Raya (SPBR), SERBUK West Kalimantan, and Aliansi Gerakan Kalimantan Barat Memanggil, which includes groups such as FMN, FMKRI, AGRA, WALHI, Link-AR, and others. Additionally, Serikat Pekerja Sawit Indonesia (SEPASI), Aliansi Gerakan Buruh Bersama Rakyat from Central Kalimantan, Forum Petani Plasma Buol (FPPB), Gerakan Perjuangan Rakyat Papua (GPRP), Gabungan Serikat Buruh Indonesia (GSBI), Solidaritas Perempuan (SP), Serikat Pekerja Kampus (SPK), as well as international networks from Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Germany.
Source: some photos from various countries shared in the TPOLS WA group on May Day 2025
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