Oil and Oppression: Women’s Struggles in the Palm Oil Industry
By Nisha Kumaravel
March 2025 FEATURE
*Names changed to protect identities.PALM OIL IS the lifeblood of Malaysia’s economy, contributing USD37.4bil in exports in 2022 alone.[1] This supports a wide range of industries, from food production to cosmetics, and the sector employs over 391,000 foreign workers, of which 74% are from Indonesia.[2] However, this prosperity is frequently built upon the exploitation of underpaid, overworked and often overlooked workers, particularly women. The latter group tend to face unsafe conditions, wage theft, and relentless physical and emotional demands.[3]Malaysia’s palm...
Nisha Kumaravel
is a licensed counselor, communications specialist and project coordinator, advocating for labour and farmer's rights, as well as agricultural and political reform. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and caring for her 13 unruly cats.
