The Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (Soppoa) urged the federal and state governments to look into the shortage to prevent further crop losses now that the peak season for oil palm had arrived.

“Any delay in decision will further jeopardise the survival of this industry and the livelihood of thousands of farmers and their families who depend on it.”

A spokesperson for the group said despite jobs being heavily promoted to attract them, local workers were not interested in working as harvesters and loaders.

“Locals are only keen in doing services-related jobs such as being drivers, junior managers, staff and technicians …”.

He said this was a critical problem as the industry in Sarawak was expanding, with more oil palm estates in their mature phase and additional areas being developed by smallholders.

He added that Sarawak had always been the hardest-hit with a shortage of workers even before the movement control order (MCO) in March.

“Before the MCO, Sarawak authorities only allowed the hiring of Indonesian workers for the industry. In the peninsula and Sabah, other nationalities are allowed to be employed in the plantation sector.”

Meanwhile, Soppoa added that in view of the pandemic, employers would be willing to work with the government by paying for Covid-19 tests and quarantine for new workers entering Sarawak.

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