Foreigners recruited to address labour shortage — FGV

KUCHING: The intensive programme carried out by Felda Global Ventures Holdings Berhad (FGV) to overcome labour shortage at its plantations is seeing positive results.

According to FGV officer in- charge Datuk Khairil Anuar Aziz, the programme is progressing smoothly and workers from Bangladesh and Indonesia have begun to arrive in stages this month to cover the current shortage of approximately 8,000 workers.

“To date, we have hired almost 600 foreign workers. Hopefully this labour shortage problem will be addressed immediately within the next few months. This is a top priority for FGV to ensure optimum production from our plantations,” Khairil was quoted as saying on FGV’s official website yesterday.

He said FGV deeply appreciated the commitment and support rendered by the government and Home Ministry, the Immigration Department, the Labour Department of Peninsular Malaysia, the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities.

“Also, our utmost gratitude to the High Commission of Bangladesh, the Indonesian Embassy, the Malaysian High Commission in Bangladesh and the Malaysian Embassy in Indonesia for their strong commitment towards this effort.

“FGV will always ensure every entry process of its foreign workers is in compliance with both countries’ laws and policies. As a responsible company, we are also committed to the standards set by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) on the employment hiring process,” Khairil said.

FGV operates over 450,000 hectares of plantations across the country including Sabah and Sarawak. The plantation sector contributes 70 per cent towards the main source of FGV’s income, putting it amongst the world’s major crude palm oil producers.

The effort to strengthen the plantation workforce would positively impact the company and maximise returns to its shareholders including Felda settlers, pointed out Khairil.

“FGV is actively conducting research and development (R&D) for the plantation sector especially in the areas of mechanisation to ease the workload and efficiency of day-to- day operations. Work undertaken by plantation workers is now assisted by mechanical equipment as well as high tech machines compared to the past. Thus, FGV is also actively promoting this career opportunity amongst locals,” he said.

FGV recently launched a nationwide recruitment drive to hire plantation workers.

Applications can be sent directly to FGV offices nearby or via email to career@feldaglobal. com. For more information on career opportunities and open interviews, visit the FGV website at www.feldaglobal.com and its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/feldaglobalofficial/.