KOTA KINABALU: The Palm Industry Labour Issues, Performance and Sustainability (PILIPS) Workshop held at Le Meridien Hotel here yesterday, discussed issues and provided a platform for exchange of ideas on matters pertaining to labour situation in the nation’s palm oil industry.The chairman of Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Datuk Sabri Ahmad said the objectiveof the two-day workshop was to highlight relevant and latest development related to labour issues in the industry.
“This workshop also aims to brainstorm for solutions to reduce dependency on foreign labour and at the same time to formulate methods to attract local workforce to work in the oil palm plantation,” he said.
He also said the workshop would provide a forum for meaningful interactions and exchange of ideas and experiences amongst participants for the benefit and continued sustainability of the palm oil industry.
According to Sabri, the palm oil industry, particularly in the plantation sector is dependent on manual labour.
“In 2009, total labour force in the whole palm oil industry reached 600,000, of which 83 per cent or 500,000 were employed in the plantation sector.
“From the macro-economic perspective, this shows that the industry has over the years remained resilient and has contributed immensely to Malaysia’s economic development through the provision of employment,” added Sabri.
He said oil palm had become an important strategic crop for the development of the rural economy by contributing towards alleviating poverty and raising living standards.
“Over the years, labour requirement in the industry has increased the number of new mills in operation, thereby increasing demand for planting materials.
“In order to remain competitive in world oils and fats market, the industry needs to be an efficient palm oil producer,” he said.
Sabri expected a resolution could be made at the end of the brainstorming session which then would be submitted to the Ministry as part of the strategic effort to overcome the issue of labour shortage in the plantation sector.
Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok officiated the openning of the workshop, which was also attended by the director general of MPOB, Datuk Dr Mohd Basri Wahid and Sawit Kinabalu Group managing director Othman Walad.