Ministry, Jakoa plan to replace foreign workers with Orang Asli in plantations

The Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) said they are currently in discussion with the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry to develop a pilot project in Perak and Pahang to replace foreign workers in oil palm plantations with local workers, including the Orang Asli.

Jakoa public relations officer Muhammad Syurahnabil Hashim said they are collecting the names of those from Orang Asli communities who are interested.

“Following our meeting with the ministry, Jakoa will develop a pilot project in Perak, specifically in Grik, and Pahang.

“For now, Jakoa is arranging meetings with Orang Asli communities to inform them and to get the names of those who are interested,” Syurahnabil told Malaysiakini.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Khairuddin Aman Razali said training will be provided to the Orang Asli by the Institute of Malaysian Plantation and Commodities (Impac) and Malaysian Palm Oil Training Centre (Plasma), as reported by Free Malaysia Today.

“Job agencies are also invited to help the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry promote jobs on plantations to local workers,” he added in a statement today.

Khairuddin also reportedly said that companies can now afford to offer a higher salary to local workers including Orang Asli as the price of palm oil has been increasing.

“With the current price of palm oil being more than RM600 per tonne compared to before, which was around RM300 per tonne, plantation companies and smallholders can afford to employ locals to work compared to foreigners."

Those who work on oil palm plantations can now earn up to RM3,000 a month with accommodations provided, he added. 

Khairuddin noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has limited the number of foreign workers intake in the country and cited this as an opportunity for locals to get involved with oil palm plantations.

However, he said there were no plans yet to open this opportunity to the homeless.

Khairuddin added that this would have to be referred to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry. - Mkini