Perubahan Struktur Pekerjaan dan Kesempatan Kerja Masyarakat di Sekitar Perusahaan Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit

Abstract

The presence of oil palm plantation companies in rural areas may influence local livelihood structures and employment opportunities. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the involvement of local communities in PT Agro Planindo Utama (PT APU) and changes in employment and perceived employment opportunities. A quantitative descriptive-analytical design was applied involving 272 respondents, consisting of 139 workers at PT APU (51.1%) and 133 non-workers (48.9%). Data were analyzed using frequency and percentage distributions, cross-tabulation, Pearson’s Chi-Square test, and the Mann-Whitney U test to compare economic conditions between the two groups. The results showed that 47.5% of PT APU workers had previously worked as farmers and 30.2% had been unemployed, while after joining the company, 71.2% worked as field workers and 24.5% as permanent employees or staff. Pearson’s Chi-Square test indicated a significant relationship between employment status at PT APU and perceived employment opportunities (χ² = 11.981; df = 2; p = 0.003), with a weak-to-moderate association (Cramer’s V = 0.15). However, the Mann-Whitney U test showed no significant difference in economic conditions between workers and non-workers (p = 0.208). These findings indicate that PT APU contributed to changes in local employment structures and expanded perceived employment opportunities, while economic benefits were not significantly different between the two groups.