Here's What This Local Company Is Doing To Empower Workers In Their Plantations

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Telegram for the latest stories and breaking news.

FGV is one of the world's largest producers of crude palm oil, accounting for 15% of Malaysia's total annual production of it. With over 50 years of industry experience, plantations are part of the company's core business sectors, alongside a continuous commitment towards sustainability.

In terms of sustainability, FGV focuses on three pillars, ranging from promoting economic growth and protecting the environment to respecting human rights. This includes empowering every worker that walks through their doors.

FGV has made conscious efforts to review their processes and procedures relating to the recruitment of migrant workers. This is to make sure the company's practices are in line with ethical recruitment principles and standards.

One of the main aspects emphasised by FGV is the 'no recruitment fees' policy when hiring migrant workers. The stance taken by FGV is that all migrant workers shouldn't be charged any fees by any party once the recruitment process begins. In fact, FGV strictly prohibits their recruitment agencies from charging the workers any recruitment fees.

In this day and age, technology has revolutionised every aspect of our lives, from the way we communicate to the way we work. FGV has also utilised technology to transform their work process by introducing the FGV App.

It contains many features which enables workers to, among other things, submit their grievances. They can even record whatever they want to say in their own language and submit it through the app, and they can do this anonymously if they wish.

The app also comes with other functions, such as enabling them to seek emergency assistance, as well as access their payslips and other relevant information including training materials. Through the app, workers can also easily transfer money to their home country.

To further enhance their labour practices, FGV has strengthened their existing due diligence process for the recruitment of workers. This includes selection of recruitment agencies, as well as capacity building for and monitoring of recruitment agencies to make sure they comply with responsible recruitment principles and standards.

FGV believes everyone has the right to access education, so that they can realise their full potential and participate meaningfully in society. The company has partnered with the Government of Indonesia through the Indonesian Consulate in Sabah to set up CLCs across FGV's plantations in Sabah.

These centres aim to provide alternative education for children of FGV's plantation workers who are not enrolled in public schools. Currently, there are 12 CLCs which are supported and jointly supervised by FGV and the Indonesian Consulate.

FGV places great importance in providing comfortable accommodation for its workers, which includes access to an uninterrupted supply of electricity and water.

Between 2018 and 2022, FGV spent RM412 million on the construction of new accommodation and upgrading of facilities and equipment. FGV will continue to focus on enhancing housing facilities to ensure good living conditions for their workers.

In line with its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda, FGV established their Committee on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in 2021 to ensure an enabling environment for women in the company. This includes providing them with access to opportunities on the basis of equality and non-discrimination.

The Committee also strives to promote the education, training, and professional development of women employees, while ensuring that all internal capacity-building programmes are gender-sensitive.

FGV is committed to upholding internationally recognised human rights principles and standards in its operations and subsidiaries, as well as throughout its supply chain.