Jakarta, Sept. 9 -- Indonesia's Manpower Minister Yassierli has emphasized the need to balance the sustainability of the palm oil industry with the welfare of its workers.

"The palm oil industry plays an important role in the national economy. Thus, it is essential to maintain a balance between industrial sustainability and workers' welfare," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

He noted the sector's strategic role in contributing to foreign exchange earnings, job creation, and rural development.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the number of workers in the palm oil industry rose from 12.5 million in 2015 to around 16.5 million in 2024.

Of this total, 9.7 million are direct labor, including 5.2 million smallholder plantation wo...