Neste workshop in Malaysia tackled labour issues in the palm oil industry

Neste workshop in Malaysia tackled labour issues in the palm oil industry 

News
4 December, 2015

Social and labour issues in the palm oil industry were the focus of a two day workshop organized by Neste in Malaysia at the end of November. The workshop brought together palm oil suppliers and a variety of experts to share knowledge on labour issues in the palm oil industry and to improve labour practices.

The workshop focused on working conditions, ethical recruitment, child labour, and workers engagement and grievance systems. The situation of migrant workers was also addressed. Workshop participants included palm oil suppliers, NGOs as well as representatives of international organisations and the Malaysian government.

"Social issues and human rights, especially labour rights, have been at the top of our sustainability agenda during the last year. We are working on many different levels and with a variety of stakeholders to improve labour conditions in the palm oil industry," explains Simo Honkanen, Neste Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Public Affairs.

"The workshop brought together key stakeholders to address challenges within the palm oil industry and to discuss plans for improving labour practices also with regard to migrant workers."

Earlier in autumn Neste sustainability specialists visited palm oil plantations in Malaysia to conduct a field study and interview local workers and management. Findings of the study and outcomes of the workshop will be used to develop Neste's social standards and suppliers' code of conduct.

"We are working with suppliers in order to develop social sustainability within our supply chain. The focus in not only on developing our own social standards, but also on trying to improve social standards within the palm oil industry."

More information: Pekka Tuovinen, Director, Sustainability, tel. +358 10 458 4516, pekka.tuovinen(at)neste.com