HIGHER wages, rather than training courses, are the key solution to addressing the labour shortage in the plantation industry, particularly in oil palm harvesting, according to former Penang deputy chief minister P. Ramasamy.

He emphasised that the plantation industry relies on inexpensive and flexible labour as its primary foundation.

“The harvesting of oil palm fruits doesn’t need technical and vocational training.

“Anyone can become an oil palm harvester, provided they are physically healthy. There are no specific requirements, and formal education is not necessary.

“Training in technical and vocational disciplines is unnecessary for this role,” the former DAP leader said in a statement.

He was responding to the recent proposal by the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Johari Abdul Ghani to offer training courses for individuals interested in harvesting oil palm fruits.

The minister suggested that by providing technical and vocational courses along with increased salaries, the palm oil industry could become more appealing to the local population.

While addressing the 2024 Palm Oil Economic Review Outlook Seminar, Johari proposed that by conceptualising harvesting oil palm fruits as a profession and offering technical and vocational courses, the labour shortage could be mitigated to some extent. However, Ramasamy, who is now leading his party called Urimai, dismissed Johari’s suggestion, stating that the cause of the labour shortage was not the lack of technical and vocational skills.

“The persistent issue faced by the plantation industry, whether in the palm oil sector or other primary industries, is the prevalence of low wages and the resulting impact on social and working conditions,” he said.

He also emphasised that technical and vocational education is essential for those interested in working in industries but not necessarily for the agricultural sector, including plantations.

The former academic, who has long brought attention to the challenges faced by estate workers, stated that oil palm harvesting is primarily a low-skilled, low-wage, and socially depressed sector.

“Employers in plantations often pay little or no attention to the value of labour, and there are limitations to what the labour force can contribute to the enhancement of the products.

“Apart from harvesting raw fruits, the labourer has limited opportunities to enhance the value of its work.

“The transformation of labour power can only be discussed when there are downstream activities, such as turning raw materials into finished products,” he said.

Ramasamy suggested that instead of categorising oil palm harvesting as a profession, a more effective approach would be to enhance wages and improve the social and working conditions in plantations. – January 12, 2024.