89.6pc oil palm plantation area certified
He said the achievement reflects the continued commitment of Malaysia's palm oil industry to adopt sustainable practices that align with internationally recognised standards.
"The MSPO certification initiative also enforces strict standards to ensure that oil palm plantation companies and smallholders are not involved in any form of forced labour.
"To this end, the MSPO requires certified entities to comply with the Employment Act 1955, which stipulates that workers cannot be compelled to perform work without their consent," he said when opening the "Know Your Rights, Do It Right" Programme Series 1/2025 here yesterday.
The programme was attended by ministry secretary-general Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof.
Chan said the programme was implemented by the ministry to provide the agri-commodity industry with clear and accurate information on labour issues, particularly those involving foreign workers.
He noted that currently, more than 75 per cent of the approximately 280,000 workers in oil palm plantations are foreigners, with the majority coming from Indonesia, followed by Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
"The government recognises that the continued heavy reliance on foreign labour can give rise to various issues and risks, including exploitation and forced labour, especially due to a lack of transparency in recruitment processes.
"This can also lead to trade restrictions imposed by countries such as the United States if there is evidence of forced labour practices within the supply chain.
"Therefore, the ministry has taken the initiative to organise programmes like this, to ensure that labour-related challenges no longer hinder the development and progress of the plantation sector," he said. Bernama
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