Rizabuana Ismail Department of Sociology, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.
Email: rizabuana@usu.ac.id
Suwardi Lubis Department of Communication Science, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.
Email: suwardilubis@yahoo.com
Ria Manurung Department of Sociology, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.
Email: ria@usu.ac.id
John McCarthy The Australian National University, Australia.
Email: John.McCarthy@anu.edu.au
Devi Sihotang Department of Sociology, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.
Email: devisihotang93@gmail.com

Abstract:

This research aims to determine the quality of work of Palm oil workers who work to harvest, transport, and sell palm oil products called pendodos and to analyze the strengthening of the capacity of pendodos in increasing palm oil productivity. This research uses Quality of Working Life to examine the work quality of pendodos in their work environment. This study was conducted in North Labuhan Batu Regency and South Labuhan Regency. The data collection method used a qualitative and quantitative descriptive approach through in-depth interviews, questionnaires, observation, and documentation. The informants in this research consisted of community workers and plantation owners. The research results show that people's plantations in this area are still based on trust and social networks. The recruitment of pendodos to work on plantations is based on social networks through kinship and family ties. Plantation owners recruit employees to harvest on plantations without special qualifications. A work system not based on a written work contract means no strong work bond between the dodos owner and the plantation owner. This results in no efforts to improve the quality and capabilities of pendodos by garden oil palm plantation owners. A bonded relationship is a mutualistic bond that is mutually beneficial economically. A pendodos income is determined by the quantity of harvest he they produce. The greater the crop, the greater the wages received by the pendodos.

Keywords:Palm Oil, Pendodos, Quality of Working Life, Harvesting.