The implementation of the sustainable tobacco program (STP) in Virginia Tobacco Farming in Lombok Island

The objective of this study was to determine the understanding and the implementation of the principles and standards of the Sustainable Tobacco Program by Virginia Tobacco farmers in Lombok Island. The research was conducted in East Lombok District (Keruak and Sikur subdistrict) and Central Lombok District (Praya Timur and Kopang Subdistrict). The target group of this study were assisted farmers and independent farmers with a total sample of 40 people. Data collection was carried out using the following techniques: interviews, field observations; and (3) in-depth interviews. The results of the study were: (1) There were still 27.50% of farmers involving children under 18 years old in Virginia tobacco farming activities, but none were under 10 years old (elementary school age); (2) All farmers know and apply the principle of forced labor, no workers may work under pressure/threats; (3) Farmers’ understanding and awareness of a safe working environment is very good; (4) Farmers’ attitudes and fair treatment to workers are very well implemented; (5) Farmers are aware of and provide freedom for workers to joint workers’ association; (6) Farmers agree that the income earned by workers must be able to meet basic needs; and (7) all farmers are aware of labor regulations.


Introduction
One of the many commodities developed in the island of Lombok is virginia tobacco.This commodity can be planted in the highlands or lowlands [1][2].The development of Virginia Tobacco in Lombok Island can provide economic and social benefits for the community.The role of tobacco in the economy can be seen from the amount of excise donated as state revenue and the number of workers employed both in the planting and processing stages of tobacco before being exported or made of cigarettes, as well as in the stage of making cigarettes [3][4].
In the island of Lombok, tobacco is considered as one of the commercial plantation crops with high profit expectations.The virginia tobacco agribusiness in Lombok Island has succeeded in increasing the income and standard of living of the community, both farmers and other communities through its multiplier impact.The increase in living standards is reflected in the increased purchasing power, improved housing conditions, increased levels of education and changes in people's lifestyles [5].
Sustainable tobacco production is efficient and competitive quality production without negative impact on the environment, while improving the social and economic conditions of the local community and the people involved in production [6][7].Sustainability of tobacco production can be obtained if farmers consistently apply good agricultural practices (GAP) [8][9][10][11].1253 (2023) 012064 IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1253/1/012064 2 GAP consists of three main pillars, namely: (1) crops, (2) environment, and (3) people/farmers (PSE Ministry of Agriculture, 2015).In order to realize sustainable tobacco production, all farmers must be committed to implementing various principles in the three pillars of that good agricultural practices.In this regard, a study was conducted to determine the extent of understanding and the implementation of the STP principles by Virginia Tobacco farmers in Lombok Island.However, this study focused only on the third pillar, namely people/farmers.The purpose of this study was to examine farmers' understanding and the implementation of: (1) the involvement of school-age children in Virginia Tobacco farming activities, (2) the prohibition of forced labor, (3) a safe work environment, (4) fair treatment of workers, (5) freedom of workers to join a labour union or organisation and bargain collectively, (6) sufficient worker income, and (7) compliance/obedience of farmers to all labor regulations.

Research methods
This research was conducted in the center area of Virginia Tobacco development in Lombok Island, namely East Lombok Districts (Keruak and Sikur subdistricts) and Central Lombok Districts (Praya Timur and Kopang subdistricts).
The target group of this study are farmers who partner with a company (assisted farmers) and independent farmers (non-assisted).The total sample is 40 people.Data collection was carried out using the following techniques: (1) interviews; (2) monitoring and observation; and (3) in-depth interviews.
This study covers 7 (seven) aspects related to the Sustainable Tobacco Program, namely: (1) child labor, (2) existence of forced labor, (3) availability of a safe working environment, (4) fair treatment of farmers to workers, (5) freedom of workers to join in a labour organisaation and bargain collectively, (6) adequate worker income that meet their basic needs, and (7) compliance/obedience of farmers to all labor regulations.

Child labor
Results of this study showed that there are still as many as 27.50% of farmers who involve their own children aged between 10-18 years in Virginia tobacco farming activities.The involvement of their own children is only to help their parents voluntarily, not to earn wages.On the other hand, none of the children involved were under 10 years old (elementary school age).
With regard to the involvement of children in farming activities, in general farmers consider it is "not good" to involve school children in Virginia tobacco farming activities.The majority (90%) of the farmers did not agree with the involvement of children.The reasons were includeed: disturbing learning activities at school, disturbing study hours at home, disturbing children's playing hours, disturbing learning activities, and children having to focus on school.Meanwhile, farmers who agree to involve children, it is due to several considerations, namely: helping parents, practicing work, and taking advantage of playtime.

Forced labor
Dealing wiith forced labour, this study showed that all (100%) of Virginia Tobacco farmers know about the principle of forced labor.The farmers' understanding of forced labor varied, which can be grouped into 4 (four), as presented in Table 1.This understanding of the farmers is in line with the principle that must be developed, such as no worker is allowed to work under pressure or threats.Information about forced labor was obtained from various sources, namely: the media (print and electronic), the Government (extension officers), and other sources.Meanwhile, farmers' responses to forced labor varied, ranging from harming other people, violating the law, and causing conflict within the community.
Results of this study also show that at all stages of Virginia Tobacco farming activities, there are no farmers who employ forced labor; all farm laborers work voluntarily based on their own accord without any pressure or coercion and threats from other parties.,There is no compulsion on farm workers to do certain types of work.In terms of wages, all (100%) farmers provide wages directly to the laborers (farm workers) who work.
Working relationship between farmers and farm workers do not have a written work contract.The working relationship is only in the form of an oral agreement regarding the type of work and the amount of wages.Nonetheless, both parties are committed to maintaining good relations and avoiding even the slightest things that could disrupt the harmony and longevity of their working relationship.All (100%) of Virginia tobacco farmers give freedom to their farm workers to choose to work or move to work for other farmers.In addition, no farm laborer is required to pay a security deposit before starting to work with the farmer where he works.None of the farmers withheld personal identity or other from employed farm workers.[12] show that in terms of the working relationship between farmers and farm laborers in Virginia tobacco farming, farm laborers have a much stronger position than farmers.

Safe work environment
A safe work environment is one of the principles that must be implemented in order to obtain the Sustainable Tobacco Program (STP).In this case, farmers must provide a safe working environment to prevent accidents and injuries and to minimize health risks.
One of the important aspects of the principle of a safe work environment is occupational health and safety.Results of this study showed that all (100%) of Virginia tobacco farmers know about the aspects of occupational health and safety (K3).Information about occupational health and safety is obtained from various sources, such as from friends, neighbors, other farmers, extention officers, partner companies, and from mass media or social media (Table 2).As a follow-up to the farmers' understanding of OSH, they take anticipatory steps to prevent accidents, injuries and reduce health risks by always using personal protective equipment at work.Results of this study as presented in Table 3 show that all (100%) of Virginia Tobacco farmers know about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).From Table 3 it can be seen that the use of PPE by Virginia Tobacco farmers is used at all stages of activity, except for packing/immune activities.The stages of activity where farmers use the most PPE types are spraying, topping/cutting shoots, and removing shoots.Thus, it can be said that the awareness of farmers to use PPE in carrying out various activities in Virginia Tobacco farming is quite high.Likewise, farm laborers also use PPE in carrying out activities at all stages of Virginia tobacco farming activities (Table 3).

Fair treatment
Another principle in the framework to achieve the STP program is the fair treatment of farmers to all farm workers.Harassment, discrimination, physical or mental punishment, or other forms of violence are not permitted.Regarding this attitude and fair treatment of workers, all (100%) of Virginia Tobacco farmers have known about this matter.
According to farmers' knowledge, the fair treatment is diverse, namely: (1) fair treatment is the provision of wages according to work, (2) fair in providing work and wages, (3) treating workers equally without exception, (4) positioning jobs according to abilities, (5) fair in the treatment of attitudes towards fellow workers, (6) fair in the provision of wages, (7) does not discriminate between workers, (8) gives equal rights to all workers, and (9) respects workers' rights.
With regard to the treatment of farm laborers (workers), until the time when research was conducting in July 2022, there were no: (1) workers who experienced physical violence, threats of physical violence, or physical contact with the intention of injuring or intimidating; (2) workers who experience sexual harassment or violence; (3) workers who experience verbal abuse; and (4) workers who experience discrimination against race, skin color, caste, gender, religion, political affiliation, union membership, status as worker representative, pregnancy, and social origin., The farmers also admit their workers to submit their complaints, by submitting them directly to the farmers or through the worker coordinator.

Freedom of association
Apart from treating workers fairly, another principle in the STP is that farmers must recognize and respect workers' rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.Until now, the workers (especially the Virginia tobacco farm workers) in the research area are only members of the nonformal farm laborers group without any administrators and article of association.They are only group to complete certain jobs in Virginia tobacco farming activities; where the group is coordinated by one of them.
If there is a labour union, all farmers (100%) agree to give freedom to their farm laborers to join the union and will not interfere.This was happened because the working relationship between farmers and farm workers was not based on a written contract with various conditions that must be met, but rather a loose and voluntary relationship.The treatment that will be given to those who become a member of labour union will not be treated discriminatively by farmers.This studys presented that all farmers (100%) will not discriminate against their workers.

Earnings and working hours
The amount of wages that apply to Virginia tobacco farming is generally determined by farm workers.In terms of determining wage levels, farmers are in a weak position, they are price takers; not a price maker.When the growing season for Virginia Tobacco begins, once thewage rate applies to a particular region and/or farmer, information on the wage rate will immediately spread so that other farmers will follow suit.The prevailing wage rate tends to increase from year to year.The reason stated by the farm workers was the prices of staple goods have gone up so that wages must also go up.However, there is no reference regarding the amount of increase in labor wages; everything is determined by farm laborers without any discussion or agreement of the parties.
The average daily wage for activities classified as heavy work ranges from IDR 60,000 to IDR 70,000 per day.Meanwhile, the wages of agricultural laborers for activities classified as light work range from IDR 40,000 to IDR 50,000 per day.If the average length of work of agricultural laborers (8 hours) per day is related to the amount of wages received, then the value of wages for activities that are classified as heavy work is IDR 7,500/hour up to IDR 8,750/hour; while the wages for activities classified as light work are IDR 5,000/hour up to IDR 6,250/hour.When compared to the minimum wage according to the East Lombok local government in 2022 of IDR 2,207,212 per month or IDR 13,795 per hour (assuming working hours are 160 hours/month), it can be concluded that the wage rate in Virginia tobacco farming activities is still low, much lower than the minimum wage set by local government in East Lombok district.

Legal compliance
The principle of compliance with the law requires farmers to comply with all labor regulations set by the state.Some of the regulations that farmers know are: regulations regarding the prohibition of employing underage children and regulations concerning worker safety and health.This information is obtained by farmers from various sources, namely: partner companies, mass media, government, NGOs, and Field Officers.
It was clear from this study that 100% of farmers stated that workers received explanation about their legal rights.However, regulations regarding labor relations are not based on formal rules, as the rules that apply to industrial employment relations which is based on written work contracts.Until the time when this study was conducted in 2022, not a single Virginia Tobacco farmer had a written employment contract with his workers.So far, work contracts between farmers and their farm laborers have been based on verbal (unwritten) agreements concerning the amount of wages and the type of work and the model of completion of a job.

Conclusion 1)
Here are still 27.50% of farmers who involve children under 18 years old (school age) in certain activities in Virginia tobacco farming, but none of them are under 10 years old (elementary school age).2) Overall (100%) Virginia tobacco farmers know and implement the principle of forced labor.
Farmers understand that no workers are allowed to work under pressure/threats.3) Virginia tobacco farmers' understanding and awareness of a safe working environment is very good, reflected in the attention and treatment of farmers towards aspects of occupational health and safety and the use of personal protective equipment.4) Farmers' attitudes and fair treatment of workers are implemented very well, where all farmers treat their workers fairly, there is no sexual harassment and verbal abuse and there is no discriminatory treatment of workers.5) Farmers are fully aware of the freedom of association for their workers so that all farmers (100%) agree to give freedom to their farm workers to join labour unions and will not interfere them.6) Farmers agree that the income earned by workers must be able to meet basic needs and must not work too long.In fact, the amount of wages and working hours are determined by workers.7) All (100%) farmers already know about labour regulations.

Recommendation 1)
Regarding the fact that not all farmers know about the STP principle, it is suggested to related parties to carry out socialization activities on STP principles and labor regulations.Socialization activities can be carried out directly through counseling and/or guidance by Field Officers and indirectly through posters, banners, banners and leaflets.2) It is suggested that the socialization of STP principles is not only for farmers, but also more importantly for farm laborers (workers).
3) It is suggested to companies that partner with farmers to enter into agreements (MoU) with farmers not to involve children under 18 years of age, pregnant women and nursing mothers in applying hazardous materials.4) In addition to the production input package, it is suggested to companies that partner with farmers to include PPE equipment (gloves, masks, hats, shoes, long-sleeved shirts, glasses, boots, etc.) in the production equipment packages that must be ordered by their assisted farmers.

Table 1 .
Knowledge and responses of virginia tobacco farmers to forced labor.

Table 2 .
Knowledge and responses of virginia tobacco farmers to occupational health and safety (OHS).

Table 3 .
Types and personal protective equipment (PPE) used by farmers when conducting various activities at Virginia Tobacco Farming.

Table 4 .
Types and personal protective equipment (PPE) used by farm workers when conducting various activities at Virginia Tobacco Farming.