KOTA BARU: Some 32,000 foreign workers for the plantation sector will arrive in Malaysia in stages from the middle of this month.
Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, who is Industries, Plantations and Commodities Minister, said the workers, coming from countries such as Indonesia and Bangladesh, have all completed their Covid-19 vaccinations.
She said there was a need to import these workers as Malaysians are not ready to take up harvesting jobs in the plantation sector.
"They will arrive in Malaysia in stages this month. Many Malaysians aren't ready to take on these jobs. Perhaps when we have acquired new technologies, we can then offer more lucrative salaries to compel Malaysians to enter the sector," she said.
The minister was speaking to reporters after handing over Kenaf Grading Standard documents at the state National Kenaf and Tobacco Board headquarters here today.
Zuraida said the authorities were still streamlining the standard operating procedures for the foreign workers.
"The authorities handling the SOP include the National Security Council (MKN) and the Ministry of Health," she said.
She said plantation companies have also declared their commitment to comply with the SOP, including ensuring that all foreign workers are fully-vaccinated as well as providing suitable places for quarantine as part of efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
"These efforts form part of the initiatives carried out in my first 100 days of helming the ministry.
"My target is to increase commodity exports to RM180 billion. So far, we have achieved about RM160 billion," she added.
She said large companies or major players in the industry were willing to bear the cost of bringing the foreign workers to help speed up the recruitment process.