Indonesia, Malaysia and ILO discuss fair recruitment guide and pre-departure training for the palm oil sector

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (ILO News) - Despite growing demand for workers, jobs in the Malaysian palm oil sector have typically been characterized by decent work deficits. These relate to labour rights, the right to organize, child labour, forced labour and discrimination, occupational safety and health, as well as employment relationships and wages.

On 30 November 2022, the International Labour Organization’s Advancing Workers’ Rights in the Palm Oil Sector in Indonesia and Malaysia Project met with the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower and the Malaysian Ministry of Human Resources to discuss the development of a guide on fair recruitment for Malaysia’s palm oil sector, and a pre-departure training tool for Indonesian workers seeking employment in Malaysia.

In her opening remarks, Ms Panudda Boonpala, the ILO Regional Deputy Director for Asia and the Pacific, expressed concern over the complexity of recruitment processes that increase vulnerability of migrant workers to potential exploitation. She hoped that the Fair Recruitment Guide and the Pre-Departure Training would contribute to addressing these vulnerabilities.

Mr Ir. Muhammad Arif Hidayat, Head of Foreign Cooperation Bureau from the Indonesia Ministry of Manpower, and Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Bin Mohamed Annuar, Secretary General of the Malaysia Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia have expressed their full support to the joint initiative with the ILO on the development of a fair recruitment guide for the palm oil sector.

“Labour-receiving and labour-sending countries need to work hand-in-hand in combatting forced labour,” said Datuk Razman.

Mr Hidayat also recognised the importance of the initiative.

“This ILO proposal to develop the fair recruitment guide will strengthen our efforts in the promotion of fundamental principles and rights at work of migrant workers in the sector,” he said.

Mrs Jodelen Mitra, ILO Project lead in Malaysia, explained that both tools will be anchored on the ILO General Principles and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment and Definition of Recruitment Fees and Related Costs, as well as guidance provided in relevant ILO instruments and tools. It will also reflect relevant laws and policies of both Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as sector-specific information. Case studies, example and good practices may also be included. The tools will be developed through a participatory and consultative process which will include a series of consultations with relevant stakeholders representing relevant government ministries and departments, employers and workers’ organizations, civil society, and international organizations.

Ms Maria Joao Vasquez, Officer-in-Charge for ILO Jakarta, expressed hoped that the proposed tools would fill the information gap facing the business entities, government officials and workers in the Indonesia-Malaysia migration corridor.

For further information please contact:

Jodelen Mitra
ILO Technical Officer
Email: [email protected]