ILO joins forces with PT Nestlé Indonesia to improve OSH for coffee farmers in Indonesia

LAMPUNG, Indonesia (ILO News) - Sixty coffee farmers, workers, suppliers, and agronomists in Tanggamus Regency, Lampung, recently participated in Training of Trainers (ToT) courses on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) conducted by the ILO in partnership with PT Nestlé Indonesia. The primary aim of these ToTs was to enhance workplace safety and health on coffee farms and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Held in two batches from 20-23 January and 10-13 February, the ToTs were part of the ILO’s ‘Improving OSH and Social Conditions for Men and Women in Coffee Farmer Communities in Indonesia’ project, implemented under a partnership between the ILO Vision Zero Fund and PT Nestlé Indonesia. The project aims to improve workplace safety and health, ensure labour law compliance, strengthen social protection, and promote gender equality within Indonesia’s coffee supply chain.

Through this collaboration, PT Nestlé Indonesia and the ILO Vision Zero Fund remain committed to supporting the improvement of OSH standards in coffee farming communities and creating a safer, healthier and more sustainable working environment for all workers in Indonesia’s coffee industry.

Kristina Kurths, ILO Vision Zero Fund’s Project Manager

ILO Vision Zero Fund’s Project Manager, Kristina Kurths, stated that a 2024 survey conducted by the project highlighted various OSH risks faced by coffee farmers. These include unsafe use of agricultural chemicals, operating machinery and tools without proper protection, heavy lifting, exposure to dust, unsafe farm vehicles and road conditions, prolonged work under direct sunlight, and contact with insects and other animals.

“OSH is part of the ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and it is also an important aspect of business operations. The ToTs are part of the immediate response to the results of the survey. Through this collaboration, PT Nestlé Indonesia and the ILO Vision Zero Fund remain committed to supporting the improvement of OSH standards in coffee farming communities and creating a safer, healthier and more sustainable working environment for all workers in Indonesia’s coffee industry,” said Kristina.

Our collaboration with the ILO on this training programme is a reflection of PT Nestlé Indonesia’s care for the well-being of our coffee farmer partners, particularly in ensuring that they work in a safe environment that aligns with human rights principles.

Sufintri Rahayu, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director of PT Nestlé Indonesia

Meanwhile, Sufintri Rahayu, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director of PT Nestlé Indonesia, explained that there are more than 11,000 coffee farmers as part of Nestlé Indonesia’s business ecosystem. “Our collaboration with the ILO on this training programme is a reflection of PT Nestlé Indonesia’s care for the well-being of our coffee farmer partners, particularly in ensuring that they work in a safe environment that aligns with human rights principles.”

According to Syahrudi, Head of Sustainable Agriculture of PT Nestlé Indonesia, “these training programmes serve as a refresher for our farmers, not only on how to farm sustainably but also on how to do so safely. With a better understanding of occupational safety and health, farmers can improve their well-being while maintaining agricultural productivity.”

© ILO

© ILO

The ToTs utilized the ILO’s Workplace Improvement in Neighborhood Development (WIND) training manual, which is designed to help small-scale farmers, and their families enhance safety and health in both their work and their daily lives. The manual emphasises simple, practical solutions that can be implemented using locally available, low-cost resources.

During the training programme, participants explored three key aspects of the WIND approach: identifying OSH hazards and risks in coffee farming, prioritizing actions to address OSH issues using the Participatory Action-Oriented Training (PAOT) method, and implementing safer, healthier work practices in plantations and coffee collection centers.

These training programmes serve as a refresher for our farmers, not only on how to farm sustainably but also on how to do so safely.

Syahrudi, Head of Sustainable Agriculture of PT Nestlé Indonesia

Suparman, one of the coffee farmers in Tanggamus, praised the training programme for enhancing his OSH knowledge and skills. “Before joining the training, I only knew the basic safety instructions for pesticide use. I now understand that OSH is crucial throughout the entire coffee production process - from farm maintenance and harvesting to drying and packaging coffee beans. I also learned that implementing good OSH practices not only prevents injuries and illnesses but also increases the productivity.”

The participants were also eager to share their knowledge with their farming communities. As Tanwin, a coffee farmer and volunteer trainer in sustainable coffee farming techniques under the Nescafé Plan programme noted, ”I am happy to be part of this training initiative and am also very excited to share OSH knowledge with other farmers, as many still have limited awareness of OSH risk prevention. This new knowledge and skills do not only protect the rights of agricultural workers but also ensure that our coffee is grown under conditions that support sustainable farming practices and safeguard our livelihoods.”

Vision Zero Fund is part of Safety & Health for All, an ILO flagship programme building a culture of safe, healthy work.