BEAUFORT: The federal government is encouraging local companies to provide employment opportunities to rural communities, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.
This is especially so for those who received Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the high-tech plantation industry, said Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
He said Malaysia has extensive oil palm and cocoa plantations that require a large workforce.
“This ecosystem needs manpower. If we rely on foreign workers, they can only reach a certain level.
“But if we employ TVET graduates, they can go further — starting from the bottom and eventually becoming plantation managers.
“I always emphasise to our local companies that when hiring TVET graduates, even though foreign workers earn a minimum of RM1,700, they should pay local workers RM2,500.
“Even if productivity is not immediate, after two to three years, they will see that these are potential candidates to become managers or supervisors in the plantation. This is what we are encouraging,” he said.
Johari sid this to reporters after the closing of the 2025 Community TVET Exploration Programme held at Beaufort Community College today.
He said his ministry has implemented initiatives to make it easier for plantation companies to employ foreign workers for 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult) jobs.
“We notice companies always hire TVET students, so we provide foreign workers for 3D jobs,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
