FGV Holdings Bhd has made sustainability as its main focus via its Sustainability Framework, which consists of three pillars — promoting economic growth, respecting human rights and protecting the environment.
FGV is dedicated to driving sustainable practices in line with its vision of delivering sustainable food and agriproducts to the world.
The company has asserted its commitment in respecting and upholding human rights principles and standards established by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.
"Among the latest initiatives we have taken is reviewing and revising the monthly salary of migrant workers from RM1,200 to RM1,500 starting May last year," FGV said.
In respect of workers' rights, it does not abide by the practice of withholding their passports.
On passport safekeeping, migrant workers are free to choose between FGV's centralised lock box at all its plantation offices, or the workers' storage lockers in all of the company's complexes.
FGV has implemented several initiatives as a sign of its appreciation and provision for its migrant workers. This includes funds for the construction of housing and employee facilities.
Between 2018 and last year, FGV had spent RM412 million on the construction of new accommodation facilities, repair works on housing facilities and equipment upgrade to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity and water.
"One of the main aspects emphasised by FGV is the no-cost recruitment fee for the hiring of migrant workers.
"FGV insists that all migrant workers should not be charged with any fee by any party once the recruitment process begins.
This includes banning employment agents in the home country from charging any recruitment fee," it said.
FGV is addressing the allegations of forced labour practices that resulted in the Withhold Release Order by the United States Customs and Border Protection (since last December).
FGV has taken steps to address the matter, such as setting aside RM112 million in compensation for recruitment fees made by current and former FGV migrant workers.
FGV will reimburse its migrant workers in three phases from March to September this year.
The first phase amounting to RM28.48 million have been made to 20,000 migrant workers on March 15, while the next phases are scheduled for June and September.
FGV has refined its migrant worker recruitment process by appointing recruitment agencies that abide by responsible and ethical recruitment principles and standards.