KUALA LUMPUR:An outright ban on the palm oil imports does not just penalise and hurt the entity involved, but in reality, it will affect the livelihood of the smallholders and settlers, says the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC).
Reacting to the United States (US) palm oil imports ban on a plantation company recently, MPOCC chief executive officer Chew Jit Seng said it is a cultural norm in the rural Asian and Malaysian communities, for children to accompany their parents or guardians at work in the agricultural sector during off-school hours for social safety reasons, especially if both parents work at the same time and place.
"In this circumstance, they may wish to help their parents to pick some loose fruits, and this shall not be misconstrued as forced or child labour which is not allowed under the Employment Act 1955 and further stipulated in Act 670," he said in a statement today.
Chew expressed concern that the US ban would affect the livelihood of the smallholders and settlers who worked hard on the small piece of land allocated to them to put food on the table and to send their children to school.
In fact, he said a more holistic solution would be for the concerned stakeholders to engage with the industry players and regulatory agencies to follow through on the issues raised, and to seek realistic and sustainable solutions.
"The MPOCC will continue to monitor the development of these allegations while contributing proactively towards strategic solutions to solve the labour issues in the palm oil industry.
"This is part of the continual efforts to rebuild the reputation of the palm oil sector," he said, adding that under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme, which is mandatory across the board for the industry, there are clear and strong requirements on workers’ rights, health and safety, and that no forms of forced or trafficked labour are used.
"In addition, all MSPO certificate holders must abide by Malaysian laws and regulations, which include the Immigration Act 670 and Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (2007) (ATIPSOM)," he said.
According to reports, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has blocked entry of palm oil products of a local plantation company over forced labour allegations after a year-long investigation that alleges abuse, deception, physical and sexual violence, intimidation and threats, and the retention of workers’ identity documents.
--BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Oct 02 2020
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has blocked entry of palm oil products of a local plantation company over forced labour allegations - Foto BERNAMA
Polis tahan pasangan kekasih, rampas pistol dan dadah bernilai RM4.73 juta
Polis menahan sepasang kekasih dipercayai terlibat kegiatan pengedaran dadah di sekitar Lembah Klang dan merampas pelbagai jenis dadah bernilai RM4.73 juta dalam serbuan di sebuah kondominium di Pucho
Suami kongsi gambar nikah, netizen beri kata-kata semangat buat Irma Hasmie
Perkongsian Redza menimbulkan respons yang pelbagai dalam kalangan netizen. Beberapa peminat turut dilihat memberikan kata-kata semangat kepada Irma.
Kotak hitam helikopter mendarat cemas di Pulau Angsa dihantar ke Itali
Kotak hitam helikopter AW139 milik Maritim Malaysia yang melakukan pendaratan cemas di sekitar perairan Pulau Angsa, Kuala Selangor telah dihantar ke Itali.
Leftenan Muda Min Youn satu-satunya penuntut bangsa Cina tamat latihan Komando
Leftenan Muda Chan Ming Youn dari Batalion Kedua Rejimen Renjer Diraja menjadi satu-satunya penuntut berbangsa cina yang berjaya menamatkan Kursus Asas Komando Gerup Gerak Khas (GGK) baru-baru ini.
Kawalan sempadan dipertingkat di sempadan Malaysia-Thailand
Polis Kelantan memantau perkembangan kejadian letupan dan insiden tembak menembak di Sungai Golok awal pagi Isnin dengan meningkatkan kawalan keselamatan di sempadan negara.
Pelancongan China dijangka meningkat
Sektor pelancongan China dijangka menyaksikan lonjakan berikutan perkembangan pasaran yang dibawa oleh Festival Qingming awal bulan ini.
Pelabur asing akhiri jualan lapan minggu, aliran masuk RM292 juta
Pelabur asing kembali menjadi pembeli bersih ekuiti domestik minggu lalu dengan nilai pembelian bersih berjumlah RM292.2 juta, menurut penyelidikan MIDF Research.
Sarawak komited jalin kerjasama denga Sweden
Lawatan kerja itu sebagai membalas jemputan oleh Menteri Perbadanan Pembangunan Antarabangsa Sweden Johan Forssel semasa pertemuan mereka tahun lepas.
Akaun fleksibel penuhi keperluan kecemasan M40, B40
Pengeluaran dijangka sederhana berikutan KWSP pada 2021 menganggarkan bahawa 60 peratus ahlinya telah kehabisan baki Akaun 2, kini dinamakan sebagai Akaun Sejahtera berikutan kemudahan pengeluaran yang disediakan ketika pandemik.
Kuota generasi solar komersial, industri capai 80 peratus
IHH Healthcare Malaysia mencatatkan pencapaian baharu dengan melancarkan inisiatif pemasangan panel solar di seluruh rangkaian hospitalnya sekali gus menjadikannya pelopor bagi sektor kemudahan dan perkhidmatan penjagaan kesihatan swasta di negara ini.
Penggunaan sawit untuk biodiesel lebih lestari - MPOCC
Penggunaan sawit mengurangkan pelepasan gas rumah hijau dan memberi manfaat lebih besar berbanding penggunaan sumber lain seperti petroleum.