In the Palm Oil Industry, Many Challenges Remain Unresolved, and the Best Way to Drive Change Is by Reporting Any Irregularities Related to Environmental Care, Human Rights, and Labor Rights.
Traditionally, in many Latin American countries, there has not been a culture of reporting violations due to workers' fear of retaliation. This is the reality that the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) seeks to change.
RSPO is an organization that brings together palm oil producers, companies, NGOs, and trade unions. Its goal is to ensure that the industry complies with quality standards and demonstrates a commitment to the environment, society, and labor rights.
One of the key elements in achieving this goal is its grievance and mediation mechanisms, which not only channel complaints but also follow up on them and seek solutions that satisfy all parties involved in the conflict.
Why Is RSPO’s Grievance Mechanism Important?
Without timely reporting, it is impossible to create change and improvements within the palm oil industry. Moreover, silence about grievances can lead not only to dissatisfaction but also to the escalation of social conflict.
The grievance mechanism provides a platform to raise concerns and report violations with the assurance of protection against retaliation. Additionally, RSPO supports mediation through its Dispute Settlement Facility (DSF), in which an expert mediator facilitates negotiations between parties to reach agreements and remedy damages, if applicable.
If an RSPO member company fails to comply with the agreements reached, it could lose its RSPO certification, among other measures, which can significantly impact its commercial and reputational standing.
What Rights Can You Claim?
While various rights are protected, here are some of the main ones:
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- Equal treatment: Protection against discrimination based on gender, religion, or ethnicity.
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- Safe working conditions: Ensuring workers are not exposed to risks without proper protection.
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- Fair wages: Recognition and adequate compensation for labor.
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- Prohibition of child or forced labor.
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- Freedom of association: The right to join a union without fear of retaliation.
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- Community water rights: Access to clean and safe water for communities and individuals.
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- Land rights: Respect for land ownership without appropriation.
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- Indigenous rights: Respect for indigenous territories and communities.
If any of these rights are violated, it is essential to turn to RSPO’s grievance mechanism. How Does the RSPO Grievance Mechanism Work?
If you believe your rights are being violated or have a grievance, you can file a complaint with RSPO. This process ensures confidentiality, meaning your identity will remain protected to prevent retaliation. RSPO will review your case and decide whether further investigation is warranted.
Basic Steps to File a Complaint:
- Submit the Complaint: You can do this online or by downloading the complaint form and emailing it to complaints@rspo.org. Be as detailed as possible and include evidence if available.
- Complaint Review: The RSPO Secretariat will analyze your case based on the 2017 Complaints and Appeals Procedure, RSPO's guide for resolving issues or conflicts related to palm oil production under its standards. This includes cases where an individual, organization, or community believes that an RSPO-certified company is not adhering to the rules. The Secretariat will verify whether all requested information has been provided, including evidence of the reported irregularity.
- Investigation: If the complaint is accepted, a team will investigate the member company. This may involve workplace visits and worker interviews.
- Decision: The Complaints Panel will deliberate and issue its decision within sixty (60) business days following the conclusion of the investigation phase. At this stage, sanctions for the member company may be determined.
Sometimes, conflicts can be resolved directly by the parties without requiring an investigation. This is where the Bilateral Engagement Mechanism comes into play. For it to work, both parties (the member company and the complainants) must be willing to sit down, discuss, and reach an agreement. This process is also confidential and, in many cases, quicker than the regular grievance process.
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