KUALA LUMPUR: FGV Holdings Bhd aims to implement an electronic wallet (e-wallet) cashless payroll system catering to its entire plantation segment, including its estates in Sabah and Sarawak, by the first quarter of next year.
Group chief executive officer Datuk Haris Fadzilah Hassan said the system has been implemented in Gua Musang, Kelantan since February, with 1,500 registered users in 11 of its estates, adding that the system is estimated to be able to save the company RM1 million annually in payroll handling costs.
"We believe that the e-wallet is a holistic financial solution for our workers to experience essential conveniences in everyday life and day-to-day transactions," he said in a statement today.
He said the company is helping plantation workers to register for the e-wallet, and more functions would be developed in phases, including e-attendance, e-grievance and e-learning.
Meanwhile, Haris Fadzilah said FGV is doubling its efforts in hiring more locals for its plantation workforce, offering training and attractive packages while putting in place continuous measures to ensure fair labour practices.
"We hope to attract more local workers to work with us in line with our target to reduce 10 per cent from the total of 32,000 foreign workers employed with FGV," he said.
The e-wallet system utilises the Merchantrade Money mobile application under Merchantrade Asia Sdn Bhd, where FGV plantation workers are provided with a prepaid Visa card and an individual e-wallet account to enable workers to conduct cashless transactions.
It also allows workers to carry out remittances to their family members in their country of origin, purchase mobile prepaid and withdraw cash at any auto teller machines (ATM) and registered merchants.