Faces of Fair Labour
Sustainability (by Wilmar Sustainability Engagement)
Since its founding in 1991, Wilmar has grown into a Fortune Global 500 company—an achievement made possible by the dedication and resilience of our global workforce. Today, more than 100,000 employees across 35 countries and regions form the backbone of our operations, with the largest presence in China, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Our people serve in diverse roles: over 37% are office-based, nearly a third are plantation workers and the remaining support production in our factories. More than 95% are full-time employees.
Wilmar honours the rights of workers through our policies and practices that are consistent with international labour standards and evolving national employment laws. Our staff enjoy competitive salaries, a safe, supportive and conducive work environment, as well as benefits that support professional and personal well-being.
Introduced in 2019, Wilmar’s Human Rights Framework demonstrates our commitment to respecting and promoting human rights across our operations. It encompasses a comprehensive range of policies and procedures including our No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation (NDPE) Policy, Equal Opportunity Policy, Child Protection Policy, Women’s Charter, Whistleblowing Policy, Grievance Procedure and No Exploitation Protocol.
Championing Employee Welfare
Wilmar operates oil palm plantations across Indonesia, Malaysia, Ghana and Nigeria, as well as sugarcane plantations in Australia and Myanmar. Recognising the vulnerability of plantation workers to exploitation, we assess 100% of our employees and supply chain to ensure everyone is paid at least the applicable local minimum wage in line with legal requirements and local living wages, where available.
To achieve this, we depend on existing resources to calculate the living wage in different countries and regions. Where universal benchmarks are unavailable, we ensure workers are paid at least minimum wage and receive benefits such as personal and maternal healthcare, childcare and housing.
We also invest in upgrading infrastructure such as roads, electricity, treated water, sanitation, schools and sporting facilities to uplift the quality of life of rural communities in our plantations.
One of Wilmar's Community Learning Centres in Sarawak
Long-serving employees like Putri Nurdin, a maintenance worker at Sapi 1 Estate in Sabah, Malaysia; and Noni Putriana, an office administrator at PT Kencana Sawit Indonesia in West Sumatra, Indonesia, are beneficiaries of our onsite amenities. Their access to childcare, education and healthcare has given them peace of mind. Putri also feels proud that her job enables her two children to further their studies locally.
Wilmar employees Putri and Noni
"The availability of facilities like childcare centres and the Humana school have eased my worries about the safety of my children while I am at work."
- Putri Nurdin, Maintenance Worker, Sapi 1 Estate, Sabah, Malaysia
Noni, meanwhile, appreciates that the company always provides her with personal protective equipment and annual medical check-ups to ensure her health is not affected by her exposure to chemicals. She is also given milk after work for additional nutrition.
“I am very happy to work at PT KSI and very grateful to the company because it really cares for the health of its workers."
- Noni Putriana, Office Administrator, PT Kencana Sawit Indonesia, West Sumatra, Indonesia
Backbone of the Company
Erlina Panitri, our Head of Human Capital in Indonesia, takes pride in Wilmar’s policies that actively protect women and children from violence. This includes the provision of a safe house and a hotline at every plantation unit. She joined Wilmar 17 years ago and has never looked back since.
“I love my job just as I enjoy my hobbies—both energise me. Work, to me, is a paid hobby."
- Erlina Panitri, Head of Human Capital, Indonesia.
Jaimeh Kuntung has been with PPB Oil Palms for over 30 years. The administrative officer at the Reka Halus Estate in Sabah, Malaysia, has had the opportunity to travel to Nigeria and train the local staff on the company’s financing reporting software.
She is grateful for company benefits, such as school allowance for her three children as well as access to amenities such as renewable energy from biogas.
Wilmar employees Erlina and Jaimeh
In Indonesia, long-serving couple Nurmawati and Zein Azwan exemplify how job security can transform lives. After 25 and 18 years with Wilmar respectively, they now own a home, farm and personal vehicle. Nurmawati serves as an estate supervisor while Zein Azwan is a tractor operator.
Wilmar employees Nurmawati and Zain, and their children
Despite working in a male-dominated sector, Nurmawati is pleased with the equal opportunities she has been given for career progression.
She continuously upgrades herself through training on women’s rights, nutrition, health, and even machinery operation. She also feels cared for by the company through maternal benefits such as menstrual leave.
"Those who are diligent and disciplined are assured of a good career and life."
- Nurmawati and Zein Azwan, plantation employees, West Sumatra, Indonesia.
Wilmar continues to empower female employees by boosting their representation in our worker committees and unions, and ensuring their voice is heard.
Embracing Workforce Diversity
A cornerstone of Wilmar’s multinational workforce is our local-first recruitment approach, with close to 92% of our employees hired from the communities where we operate.
Jublin Mukreng, better known as Emiew among his colleagues, joined Wilmar as a ranger at the Sekar Imej Conservation Area in Sabah, Malaysia, in January 2022. Since then, the 23-year-old from the Dusun Bukit tribe is proud to have constructed a new house for his parents in his village, Kampung Kinadaan, and supported his sister’s tertiary education with his wages.
“I am happy to work as a ranger and protect our nature from any encroachment.”
- Jublin Mukreng, Ranger, Sekar Imej Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia
Nurul Ain Sakinah Zainul Fuad joined the corporate office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020, where she experienced a different kind of teamwork via remote onboarding and virtual meetings. The assistant manager is part of the sustainability team that manages Wilmar’s global traceability for palm oil and coconut by assessing and addressing supply chain risks.
“I am thankful to be given opportunities to continuously upskill myself through courses, workshops and site visits to our operations in India, Ghana and Uganda.”
- Nurul Ain Sakinah Zainul Fuad, Assistant Manager, Sustainability Department
Wilmar employees Jublin and Ain
Wilmar also aims to provide a conducive work environment for our employees in the mills, refineries and offices. For instance, our subsidiary in China, Yihai Kerry Arawana (YKA), provides employee accommodation in several factories. The dormitory rooms are equipped with desks, chairs, air-conditioning and ensuite washrooms. Shuttle bus services are also provided between the dormitories and factories.
In addition, our employees have access to facilities such as gymnasiums, badminton halls, nursing rooms, reading rooms and canteens. New mothers have access to breastfeeding and baby changing rooms in the YKA office. The YKA Trade Union strives to improve the fitness of its members by organising various annual sports competitions such as basketball, badminton and table tennis.
Cornerstone of Sustainable Development
Wilmar recognises that decent work and productive employment are fundamental to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
We are committed to fairness, integrity and fostering a positive workplace culture for our employees across all regions. Our effective talent strategy has contributed to a high staff retention rate which averages above a decade.
As Wilmar continues to grow, we remain dedicated to upholding the dignity and rights of our people—both within the Group and throughout our supply chain.