At the end of 2023, REA’s workforce (which includes non-executive directors) numbered 9,379 compared with 9,138 at the end of 2022. The increase principally reflected additional recruitment of fixed term contract workers for the field operations to continue the recovery of optimal harvesting and upkeep standards. Additionally, there were a number of key senior and middle manager appointments in 2023 to support the drive to strengthen the finance and accounting functions, technical services, and the smallholder and community development teams.

REA endeavours to provide competitive remuneration packages, opportunities for career development, and a decent standard of living on the estates for employees and their families in order to attract and retain staff at all levels. This is particularly important given the remote location of REA’s estates.

Male and female employees in the same role (such as, for example, harvesting, manuring, spraying, and positions in the office and workshop) receive the same salary.

Wherever possible REA seeks to employ local people and contractors in an effort to contribute to the local economy and create a stable workforce.

REA complies with all Indonesian labour regulations, which are based on the core standards of the International Labour Organisation.

Management

Overall responsibility for REA’s affairs resides with the managing director, who is based in the UK. The president director of REA’s principal operating subsidiary, REA Kaltim, together with four fellow directors of REA Kaltim, all of whom are based in Indonesia, has local responsibility for REA’s operations in Indonesia, covering the estate operations, ESG, finance and administration.

As a foreign investor in Indonesia, REA is conscious that it is in essence a guest in Indonesia and an understanding of local customs and sensitivities is important. REA’s ability to rely on senior Indonesian staff to handle its local interface is therefore a significant asset upon which REA continues to build. This asset is augmented by the support and advice that REA obtains from local advisers and from the local non-controlling investors in, and local commissioners of, its Indonesian subsidiaries.

Read more about labour standards and health and safety within REA’s operations