TPL Ensures No Child Labor, Companies Tighten Supervision of Sustainability Policy

Toba Pulp Lestari Tbk asserts that it has never employed minors as one of the international online media accused.

“The company has a Sustainability Policy, namely being responsible at work because TPL and its suppliers are committed to providing a safe, productive, and conducive work environment,” said Jandres Silalahi, Director of TPL on Monday, June 9 2022 in an interview with the media in the factory operational area in Pangombusan Village, Parmaksian District, Toba Regency.

According Jandres Silalahi, this sustainable policy commitment applies to everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, race, and between groups. All TPL employees, employees, contractors, and temporary employees (temporary, seasonal, part-time, and other workers) are required to ensure that all commitments are carried out according to the rules and the Manpower Act.

Jandres Silalahi revealed that this commitment has been well prepared and socialized to all areas of the company’s work sector, and to all employees and contractors of the company by taking into account the following aspects:

Respect the International Labor Organization Declaration at Work on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

1. Comply with all labor laws and regulations, Collective  labor Agreements/ Perjanjian Kerja Bersama (CLA/PKB) that have been agree upon by TPL and trade unions.
2. Uphold recruitment best practices, comply with all legal requirements and cultural practices including proactively recruiting quality workforce from local communities.
3. TPL’s Human Rights Policy, defines TPL’s commitment to respect
4. internationally recognized labour rights standards, in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ILO Conventions, and all applicable laws such as:

• No child labor (under 18 years), No forced labor.
• Freedom of association and protection of the right to organize.
• Equal remuneration (compensation) for male and female workers for work of equal value.
• Paying wages above the minimum wage standards set by the government.
• The right to protection of occupational safety and health includes the right to rest, working hours, leave, and other provisions regulated in the Manpower Act.

Jandres Silalahi emphasized that the company has taken the initiative, to ensure all its suppliers follow TPL commitments, by establishing a sustainable supply chain assessment.

According to him, the company has disseminated its sustainability policy to more than 100 suppliers via Zoom due to the Covid- 19 pandemic situation.

“TPL conducts evaluations and assessments on the supply chain to ensure sustainable principles to suppliers starting in 2021,” he said.

Jandres Silalahi also said that TPL really cares about the lives of casual daily workers (BHL), therefore the company provides housing facilities that are livable and child-friendly with a beautiful environment. This livable the place is equipped with second rooms, kitchen, bathroom, living room, and clean water.

In fact, he explained, the company is also very concerned about the condition of children from BHL, and continues to open naturalschools for children who have not entered school age in every sector of the company’s operations. This education program for the children of casual workers is a form of concern for children while their parents are working.

JTPL is strict regarding cooperation contracts with contractors and all regulations concerning casual workers. The company participates in monitoring casual workers so that there are no children who work under age.

TPL imposes sanctions if children are working under age to the contractor, and this is understood by BHL workers,” he said.

So according to Jandres Silalahi, the accusation of being wrong by online media journalists is completely untrue and baseless. Because the company has never violated the Manpower Act.

According to him, the company always respects the disclosure of public information and the media regarding the company’s operational activities.Meanwhile, in a separate place, the Head of Human Resources Development (HRD) TPL Martin revealed, that the company had also registered all of its workers with the program SSAD/BPJS (Social Security Administering Agency/Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial).This is following the Presidential Instruction of the Republic of Indonesia number 2 of 2021, concerning Optimizing the Implementation of BPJS for workers.”Currently, all workers in direct employment agreements with TPL have been registered with BPJS Employment, following the provisions of the law and related regulations that govern,” he said.

As for the company’s work partners (contractors), according to Martin, in the cooperation agreement between the company and the partner, TPL has also included an obligation for partners to register their workers with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan.

“So, not only workers in direct employment agreements with TPL who have been registered in BPJS Employment but company partners are also required to register their workers,” said Martin. (*)