Musim Mas Group has achieved a notable ranking in the Global Child Forum’s 2024 State of Children’s Rights and Business Benchmark, securing an overall score of 9.3 out of 10. This score places the company within the top five global businesses evaluated in the annual benchmark, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding children’s rights and promoting family-friendly work environments.
The benchmark assesses corporate efforts to support children’s rights across four key impact areas, with Musim Mas showing marked improvement since last year. In 2023, the company’s score was 8.7, but consistent advances in its approach to family welfare and community support have driven the increase. This year, the company achieved a perfect 10 in the Workplace sub-category, which evaluates companies on the measures they take to provide family-friendly policies and prevent child labour.
Musim Mas has also earned a 10 in the Governance and Collaboration sub-category, an improvement from its previous score of 9.4. This top rating reflects the company’s enhanced commitment to governance structures that uphold children’s rights, including grievance mechanisms accessible to both internal and external stakeholders. The company has aligned its policies with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, strengthening its position as a leading advocate for children within the global business community.
The company’s Director of Sustainability, Olivier Tichit, expressed pride in Musim Mas’s improved performance. “We are delighted to be ranked among the top five in the Global Child Forum Benchmark, maintaining our ‘Leader’ status. This reflects our dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of children within our operations and the communities we serve,” he said. Tichit highlighted that Musim Mas aims to support family stability and child development as part of its wider sustainability objectives. “Our initiatives range from comprehensive healthcare to educational opportunities for children in our communities. Approximately 10,700 children residing in our plantations are of school-going age, with the majority attending schools that we have built and funded under the Anwar Karim Foundation (YAK),” he added.
The Anwar Karim Foundation supports several initiatives designed to enrich the lives of children and families within Musim Mas’s plantation communities. The company has established 47 childcare centres, 11 kindergartens, and 14 schools throughout its Indonesian plantations. All facilities are accessible free of charge to employees’ families, providing a foundation for early childhood development and learning.
Further to its educational facilities, Musim Mas offers healthcare services, including pre- and post-natal care for expectant mothers, parental leave, and access to childcare. The group awarded 93 scholarships in 2023 alone to support higher education opportunities for young people within these communities, reflecting its commitment to both immediate family support and long-term child welfare.
As part of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Musim Mas has integrated its children’s rights initiatives into broader sustainability and ethical sourcing policies. The company’s proactive steps in child rights align with international frameworks, enhancing its reputation as a responsible and family-oriented employer.
The company’s recognition by the Global Child Forum adds momentum to its commitment to sustainable practices and social responsibility. By setting high standards for children’s rights and family support, Musim Mas continues to stand out among global corporations, demonstrating that a strong focus on community well-being and workplace inclusivity can coexist with corporate success.
