Job of Last Resort Puts Further Strain on Malaysia's Palm Sector
The sector has become the 'last choice' for foreign laborers — the backbone of the industry — and locals, who view the work as dirty, dangerous and difficult, said Roslin Azmy Hassan, the head of the Malaysian Palm Oil Association, an industry group. Many are choosing jobs in urban areas, he added.
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To improve convenience, LTA is considering increasing the number of pickup and drop-off points and enabling app-based bookings for licensed taxis. Enforcement against illegal ride-hailing remains active, with safety and driver welfare as key priorities. Separately, LTA is reviewing Malaysia's request to start cross-border buses at 4am to ease morning congestion. Any changes will be aligned with Singapore's local transport schedules. Singapore's job market is bouncing back, with a 2.1 per cent rise in postings in June 2025, according to job site and hiring platform Indeed. AI-related roles are booming, appearing in one-third of tech listings and increasingly in non-tech sectors like research and engineering. Healthcare and infrastructure jobs are also surging, with sports and pharmaceutical roles tripling since pre-pandemic times. Meanwhile, service roles like public safety and veterinary care are seeing declines. Despite a year-on-year slowdown, job creation remains robust. Employers are cautiously optimistic, focusing on sectors aligned with national priorities. Indeed's data shows job postings are still 43 per cent above pre-pandemic levels, underscoring the market's resilience. But global uncertainty looms large. Callam Pickering, Indeed's APAC economist, says hiring remains strong enough to keep unemployment low. But he warns that geopolitical shifts could cloud future growth.
