From Displacement to Empowerment: Women’s Struggle in the Nickel Supply Chain

Women in the Morowali region traditionally relied on farming, fishing, and forest-based livelihoods. Industrial expansion has displaced these activities, forcing many women into insecure informal jobs such as cooking for factory workers or cleaning dormitories. These roles lack legal protection and offer little stability. At the same time, environmental degradation and health risks have increased women’s unpaid care workload.

Access to formal jobs in the nickel industry remains extremely limited for women. Recruitment practices often favor men, and patriarchal norms exclude women from land negotiations and community decision-making. In some cases, women are not even informed when family land is sold to companies. Those who do work in subcontracted roles face poor conditions, long hours, and even harassment—while their voices in trade unions are often marginalized.

Industrial pollution has contaminated water sources, forcing women to travel long distances for clean water. Overcrowded housing, lack of healthcare, and inadequate maternal services add to the strain. Basic needs like safe housing and childcare are increasingly difficult to meet.

The study calls for a multi-stakeholder response:

• Government: Integrate gender-responsive planning and budgeting into industrial development, enforce gender-disaggregated data reporting, and improve access to social protection.
• Private Sector: Move beyond symbolic CSR. Invest in clean water systems, healthcare, and child-friendly spaces. Ensure inclusive hiring and safe workplaces.
• Civil Society & Unions: Strengthen campaigns for women’s health, labor rights, and environmental justice. Create safe spaces for women to participate without fear.

The document “Gender Analysis of Indonesia's Nickel Industry”, commissioned by CNV Internationaal, highlights the differentiated impacts of nickel mining and smelting on women and marginalized groups in Morowali and North Morowali, Central Sulawesi. Here’s how trade unions and CNV Internationaal are positioned in this context:

Trade unions are identified as crucial actors in raising awareness about labor rights, gender equality, and environmental justice. They help ensure industrial development remains accountable to affected communities.

Women’s Leadership: The report emphasizes the need for unions to build leadership capacity among women workers, enabling them to participate in decision-making and defend their rights.

Challenges: Despite some women being involved in unions, their voices are often marginalized, and fear of retaliation prevents many from speaking out about violations such as harassment or poor working conditions.

• Fair Impact Programme: CNV Internationaal works globally for “100% fair work” by partnering with local trade unions and promoting Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) in supply chains.
• Social Dialogue: CNV Internationaal leverages its expertise in social dialogue to address labor risks and foster inclusive industrial practices.
• Tools and Monitoring: Through initiatives like the Fair Work Monitor, CNV Internationaal helps companies identify gender specific labour risks and implement gender-responsive measures.
• Strategic Goal: CNV Internationaal advocates for an inclusive work environment, safe working conditions, and living wages as prerequisites for fair work in the nickel supply chain.

• Strengthen campaigns on women’s health, labor rights, and environmental justice.
• Create safe, accessible participatory spaces for all genders.
• Move beyond symbolic CSR by investing in infrastructure that meets women’s practical needs (clean water, healthcare, childcare).
• Integrate gender equality into Indonesia’s green and industrial transition .

Learn more:

• Research conclusions and recommandations
• Idem, Bahasa Indonesian version
   
• Gender Analysis in the Nickel Project in Morowali and North Morowali, Central Sulawesi Bahasa Indonesian version
• Analisis Gender dalam Proyek Nikel di Morowali dan Morowali Utara, Sulawesi Tengah

Indonesia’s green transition must be inclusive and rights-based. Without a feminist approach, the nickel boom risks perpetuating the very inequalities it seeks to overcome. Women are not just victims of disruption—they are agents of change. Recognizing this is key to building a fair and sustainable future.

CNV Internationaal is committed to facilitating dialogue between workers, companies, civil society organisations, and governments. 

Together, we aim to build a nickel sector that not only powers Europe’s green future but also uplifts the communities at the start of the supply chain. 

Interested in learning more or exploring collaboration with our Fair Impact Programme? 

Contact 

Margot Offerijns: m.offerijns@cnv.nl

Yunika Kurniyatiningsih:y.kurniyatiningsih@cnv.nl