A smallholder from Kampung Beliong Tambirat in Asajaya unloads fresh fruit bunches from his boat onto the jetty at Batang Samarahan. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (July 13): The labour situation is never easy for the smallholders in the oil palm plantation sector, and amidst the current Covid-19 pandemic, the scenario has gotten more challenging.
In pointing this out, Dayak Oil Palm Planters Association (Doppa) secretary Incham Serdin said the smallholders had always been plagued with issues surrounding the permit for foreign workers.
“Recruitment of foreign workers has never been easy for the oil palm smallholders.
“During this pandemic, we know we won’t be able to get workers, even if we had the permit.
“For the smallholders planting oil palms on NCR (Native Customary Right) land, they are never without their problems,” he told The Borneo Post here yesterday.
Incham was sharing his views over the front page report on thesundaypost about oil palm planters facing ruin as the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing Movement Control Order (MCO) had halted recruitment of foreign workers.
Adding on, he observed that a number of smallholders had resorted to employing locals during this period.
“Yes, some smallholders employ locals, who are paid RM50 or more daily to run some spraying works or harvesting.
“As many people are now out of work, they are willing to work at plantations.
“In comparison, the daily wage for, say an Indonesian worker, would be between RM40 and RM50.”
On the subject of profit-sharing deal between a smallholder and a contractor, Incham said this was never a permanent solution towards economic stability in the sector.
“Profit-sharing could only work during ‘economic good times’.
“During the tough times, they (contractors) would abandon you,” he pointed out.