Sectors still plagued by labour shortage

Malaysia Palm Oil Association (MPOA) chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Nageeb Abdul Wahab (pic) said the plantation industry is at the crossroads as it is saddled with many issues, the main one being the acute labour shortage.

KUALA LUMPUR: As much as the government wants to reduce dependency on foreign labour, two significant industries in Malaysia are hoping that Putrajaya can take their dilemma into consideration.

There is an urgent need for 61,000 workers - 36,000 workers for plantations and 25,000 workers for rubber glove makers - where a larger portion of the manpower would be filled by foreigners as locals shun being employed in these industries.