InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Indonesia’s palm oil industry is often viewed merely through the lens of production and export figures. However, behind millions of tons of palm oil produced annually lies a story of large-scale social integration.
As one of the world’s largest palm oil plantation companies, PTPN IV PalmCo is now home to 69,455 employees from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Company demographic data as of December 2025 shows at least 55 ethnic groups working within its corporate ecosystem.
President Director of PTPN IV PalmCo, Jatmiko K. Santosa, emphasized that this diverse demographic structure is not coincidental but a strategic strength consciously managed by the company.
“PTPN IV PalmCo truly represents a miniature Indonesia. Many plantations are located in remote areas, and since the local population is limited, workers from various islands come to work. This is where cultural interaction takes place,” he said, as quoted by InfoSAWIT from Antara on Thursday (Feb 18, 2026).
According to him, cultural diversity has fostered resilient and complementary teamwork. During Eid celebrations, operations continue with support from non-Muslim employees, while Muslim workers maintain production during Christmas holidays.
“Operations never stop, and solidarity grows stronger,” he added.
Industry observers note that the phenomenon aligns with the view that the palm oil sector naturally creates new economic growth centers that attract cross-provincial labor migration, contributing to social balancing and competency-based performance. (T2)
