JOB VACANCIES
OXFAM who are we?
Oxfam is a leading aid, development and campaigning not-for-profit organisation with a world-wide reputation for excellence and over 60 years’ experience working in Indonesia. Our purpose is to work with others to overcome suffering and find lasting solutions to poverty.
Currently we are looking for OXFAM LABOUR Work Strategy Review Consultant
Background
Oxfam has a long history of working to improve
the condition of workers in Indonesia. Most of its work has focused on
the sport shoes & sports wear sector where goods are produced for famous
brands such as Adidas, Nike and Puma. Oxfam’s influence in this field
results from its ability to raise public awareness internationally through
its ties to solidarity groups.
These campaigns exert pressure on the brands
to improve working conditions through their pressure on suppliers. This
model of change has long informed Oxfam’s labour programme in Indonesia.
Since 2009, Oxfam has been at the forefront of advances to this model by
establishing a process of Freedom of Association (FoA) Protocol in which
brands & suppliers negotiate directly with trade unions representing
workers in the sportswear sector. This is a significant breakthrough as
in the past brands were unwilling to acknowledge the unions, preferring
to push their own unilaterally drawn-up codes of conduct. Along with social
audits, these tend to focus on standards rather than rights, and hinder
the growth and development of unions.
The networks, skills and experiences put
Oxfam in a good position to develop similar programs to benefit workers
in the plantations sector. However, designing effective programs requires
consideration of the unique circumstances and challenges faced by plantation
workers. Fact, an estimated 2-3 million of workers on Indonesian palm oil
plantations face extremely poor labour conditions. They receive very low
pay below minimum wage, are often employed on a casual, day hire base with
no job or social security.
Casual workers have to work against high targets
forcing them to make excessive hours, and to mobilize their families including
women and children who often work without pay or recognition. Outsourcing
practices are increasing and form a cover up for disrespect of human rights
of workers. Women workers normally undertake most dangerous aspects of
plantation work while spraying pesticides and chemical fertilizers without
equipment or knowledge how to use it. Women are highly vulnerable for sexual
harassment in the vast plantations and have mostly lower wages than men.
Few national unions have demonstrated a
serious interest in and ability to support the welfare of palm oil workers.
This may relate to a limited capacity compared to the time, effort and
expense required to establish networks throughout this geographically vast
sector.
Many unions established within plantations are viewed “yellow”
– that is aligned with management and unlikely to provide workers with
education or advocacy support to advance their rights. There are also significant
risks involved in organizing. Unionized workers or ordinary workers who
make demands for their rights are often discriminated against, transferred
to other estates or even dismissed.
But now, the Indonesian government faces
several challenges on its pathway to promote labour rights issues. One
is the creation of sustainable job opportunities for low-income families.
The economy has expanded rapidly in capital-intensive sectors, whiles labour-intensive
sectors have grown slowly. These sectoral imbalances will make Indonesia’s
inequality problems worse, at least in the short to medium term.
Agriculture and manufacturing continue to
absorb a large share of the labour force and, for that matter, most of
Indonesia’s poor and unskilled workers.
The observed increase in wage inequality
between skilled and unskilled labour in Indonesia since the mid 1980s has
both social and economic implications. Though small as measured here, it
reflects a more considerable separation of the tails of the wage distribution.
Had the “Asian crisis” not occurred, this would have created social tensions,
though obviously not on the scale observed in the late 1990s. Clearly,
inequality is more tolerable when the economic pie is expanding than when
it is contracting.
Purpose
- To review the process of advocating decent work (FOA, Wages & Job Security) protocol to discover the challenges, obstacles and opportunities to be more clear and measurable. Based on these review, then Oxfam can determine the new position and strategy.
- Oxfam in Indonesia still could provide advice, information and advocacy experience on labour rights issues to local, national & regional working on private sector, urban issues and inequality.
Duration: 10 days effective working from
1 – 29 February 2016
Requirement
- Advance understanding about labour’s general issues ( living wage, inequality)
- Research experience on labour issues
- Desk study are welcome to apply
- Have produced some article about labour issues and published is an advantage
- Good communication in English verbally and writing as the incumbent will provide support to compile data from various resource persons
- Able to submit report in English is a must
How to apply
If you believe you are the consultant we are looking for please submit your proposal, resume with example of previous article produced of similar issues, draft proposal consist of budget (including out of pocket expenses), process and schedule through email at
jakarta@oxfam.org.uk and mention “Consultant of OXFAM LABOUR Work Strategy Review” on the subject of your email.
Latest date for submission of the application will be on January 29th, 2016
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted
If you believe you are the consultant we are looking for please submit your proposal, resume with example of previous article produced of similar issues, draft proposal consist of budget (including out of pocket expenses), process and schedule through email at
jakarta@oxfam.org.uk and mention “Consultant of OXFAM LABOUR Work Strategy Review” on the subject of your email.
Latest date for submission of the application will be on January 29th, 2016
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted
Oxfam promotes equality and diversity
Oxfam works with others to overcome poverty and suffering
Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International and a company limited by guarantee registered in England No. 612172.
Registered office: Oxfam House, John Smith Drive, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2JY.
A registered charity in England and Wales (no 202918) and Scotland (SC 039042)
A registered charity in England and Wales (no 202918) and Scotland (SC 039042)
