Government Open to Considering Foreign Worker Applications for Oil Palm Plantation Sector
Home Minister Welcomes Requests from Plantation and Commodities Ministry
The Malaysian government is open to considering applications for foreign workers specifically for the oil palm plantation sector, according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. This announcement comes after the government imposed a freeze on foreign worker recruitment since last year, but received requests from the Plantation and Commodities Ministry to hire foreign workers due to a shortage of labour in the sector.
Temporary Suspension of Foreign Worker Recruitment
Since September last year, the government has stopped accepting applications for foreign workers, and no new applications have been approved. However, the Home Minister highlighted that the government is willing to reconsider its stance in light of the requests from the Plantation and Commodities Ministry, particularly for the oil palm plantation sector.
Labour Shortages in the Sector
Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, the Plantation and Commodities Minister, requested that the government open the application process for plantation workers, especially in Sabah and Sarawak. According to the Minister, if the crops are not harvested, plantation operators face losses. The government has asked the Plantation and Commodities Ministry to provide accurate information regarding the labour shortages and specific needs of the sector before making any decisions.
Verification and Confirmation of Labour Needs
The government has decided to temporarily suspend foreign worker recruitment and will first ask plantation companies how many workers they require. The relevant authorities will then verify and confirm the numbers before making a final decision. The government aims to ensure that the number of foreign workers recruited does not exceed the ceiling set by the government, which is guided by the Economy Ministry’s target in the 12th Malaysia Plan, aiming for foreign workers to make up no more than 15% of the country’s overall workforce.
Conclusion
The government’s decision to reconsider foreign worker applications for the oil palm plantation sector is a positive step in addressing the labour shortages in the sector. By working closely with the Plantation and Commodities Ministry, the government can ensure that the needs of the sector are met while also upholding the country’s overall goals for foreign worker recruitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did the government impose a freeze on foreign worker recruitment?
A: The government imposed a freeze on foreign worker recruitment since last year to control the number of foreign workers in the country.
Q: Why is the government reconsidering foreign worker applications for the oil palm plantation sector?
A: The government is reconsidering foreign worker applications for the oil palm plantation sector due to requests from the Plantation and Commodities Ministry and to address the labour shortages in the sector.
Q: What is the government’s target for foreign workers in the country?
A: The government’s target for foreign workers is for them to make up no more than 15% of the country’s overall workforce, as guided by the Economy Ministry’s target in the 12th Malaysia Plan.