PT. Agincourt Resources (PTAR) has implemented a gender diversity policy in all aspects of the company’s operations since 2016. This is to demonstrate PTAR’s commitment to building a culture and work environment that promotes dignity and respect, a workplace free from discrimination, intimidation, bullying or harassment.
A number of policies as a basis for practicing gender diversity have also been developed by PTAR, such as policies on maternity leave and paternity leave, codes of practice for managing work restrictions related to pregnancy, and lactation policies. Currently, PTAR is the only gold mining company in Indonesia that has a female employee composition of up to 26%. The composition, which has been running for four months and two weeks, is much better than other companies in Indonesia in general.
In addition to supporting the increasing female participation in the company, PTAR also supports women’s empowerment by supporting women entrepreneurs in communities around the mine. PTAR also creates a number of women-based business empowerment programs.
Sahata Commissary minimarket business development, for example. This program, which has been running since 2012, has succeeded in empowering the Ikatan Perwiritan Yasin (IPY) Nurul Huda, Batangtoru District, which has around 1,000 members. PTAR helped provide minimarket facilities and amenities, increased the capacity of minimarket employees, expanded the cooperation network with the main distributors, and formed the Sahata Satahi Saoloan Cooperative as an agency that accommodated the IPY Nurul Huda’s business activities.
This program works very well. Income from Sahata Commissary can be used to finance IPY Nurul Huda’s operations and several household businesses are also empowered as suppliers. The Sahata Satahi Saoloan Cooperative has also succeeded in opening a small grocery store to meet the cooperative members’ needs.
There is also a rhizome root crop cultivation business development program with two Women Farmer Groups (KWT), namely the Makmur Jaya KWT in Bandar Hapinis Village which manages about 2 ha of land and KWT Torop Jaya in Sumuran Village which manages 1.2 ha of land. Rhizome plants are plants that are easy to grow and are in great demand because they have many health benefits, such as ginger, aromatic ginger, and turmeric. In addition to assisting intensification of rhizome cultivation, PTAR also assists in the development of rhizome roots processed products, one of which is herbal drinks that are rich in health benefits, such as Ginger drink, Lemongrass tea, and Sapan Wood Mixed Spices.
Since 2019, the women who are members of the two KWTs have been provided with knowledge on how to process rhizome roots into ready-to-drink beverages and powdered drinks. Now, they can produce their herbal drinks and powders from rhizome roots. They even have their own production house and all of their products have obtained a home-based business product permit.
In addition, PTAR is also working on a batik business development program and its derivative products with the South Tapanuli Batik Joint Business Group (KUB) and KUB Bator Craft. In its program, PTAR provides marketing knowledge, for example providing direct assistance on making online marketing. PTAR also teaches how to make derivative products from South Tapanuli Batik (Tapsel), which are batik bags and clothes.
With this derivative product, it is hoped that a new market will be created for the Tapsel batik business so that later it will be able to absorb more workers. PTAR also opened a UMKM gallery which will become a sales centre for Tapsel batik and its derivative products. So that when tourists come to visit Batangtoru or Tapsel, they will know where to look for the unique Tapsel batik.
Another PTAR women’s empowerment program is a capacity-building and sewing skill program for women in Batuhula Village and Hutaraja Sub-District. In collaboration with the South Tapanuli Manpower Office, PTAR organizes sewing training, provides sewing machines, and even gives sewing projects. The sewing training organized by PTAR is a competency-based training so that participants were awarded Dressmaking certificates at Level II and III by the Competency Certification Institute, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. It is hoped that, in the future, these women can become a clothing convection team and this business will grow into a source of income for the community.
All these programs are in line with PTAR’s commitment to provide equal opportunities and roles for women’s groups to try and carry out their group activities independently, as well as increase their capacity and their groups’ capacity through various programs, training and mentoring. That way, they can become capable and empowered to run their business in a sustainable manner.
