Malaysia, the world's second-largest palm oil producer behind Indonesia, had been set to welcome the first major batch of migrant workers since reopening borders in a boost for a sector facing a shortage of more than 100,000 workers. Whether the workers would be allowed to depart immediately after the orientation would depend on Indonesia's immigration authorities, he said. Migrant workers' protection law 'still weak'Benny said having proper work documents is important to help protect the workers' rights in Malaysia, where a migrant workers' protection law is "still weak" according to him. Indonesia and Malaysia in April signed an agreement to improve protection for domestic migrant workers following a meeting between the countries' leaders in Jakarta. Malaysia relies on foreign workers, who mainly come from Indonesia, Bangladesh and Nepal, to fill factory and plantation jobs shunned by locals.

Source: The Edge Markets June 03, 2022 06:45 UTC