The Ministry of Human Resources is contemplating implementing flexible employment options to appeal to the younger demographic to alleviate the ongoing labor scarcity in the nation’s plantation industry.
Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, Deputy Minister of Human Resources, announced this project. Sakmud highlighted the difficulties in finding local laborers for physically demanding professions that fall under the “3D” jobs category—dirty, dangerous, and difficult—especially in the plantation industry.
Mustapha highlighted that younger Malaysians are becoming less interested in working on plantations, leading to a significant dependency on foreign labor.
He claims that there are many ideas to address this problem.
“There were several suggestions (on how to address the problem). For one, it was suggested that we introduce a syllabus so plantation jobs can be certified like Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM),” he told the Dewan Rakyat on 25 October.
“There was also a suggestion that we introduce jobs with flexible hours to the younger generation.
“It might be boring for them if they have to work full time at plantations. So, the suggestion that we implement the method similar to the oil and gas sector where workers only go to work for two weeks or so,” he added.
Furthermore, the declaration addressed a question Maran MP Ismail Abd Muttalib posed during the Dewan Rakyat session regarding the government’s initiatives to pique Malaysians’ interest in the 3D industry.
Ismail said that local enthusiasm for plantation work has remained elusive despite the unity government’s introduction of several facilities and initiatives.
Mustapha further said that other ministries, including the Ministry of Human Resources, are carefully reviewing these suggestions.
The objective is to gain a thorough understanding of the inclinations and preferences of the younger generation to facilitate the development of creative solutions that will close the skills gap and revitalize the plantation industry.
The Ministry of Human Resources is contemplating implementing flexible employment options to appeal to the younger demographic to alleviate the ongoing labor scarcity in the nation’s plantation industry.