Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim criticised profitable plantation companies for failing to invest sufficiently in mechanisation and stressed that the exploitation of foreign workers, including placing them in poor living conditions, was unacceptable.KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says he is prepared to consider approving the recruitment of foreign workers for palm oil harvesting, provided plantation companies commit to reducing their reliance on labour through mechanisation.
Speaking at a forum here yesterday, Anwar acknowledged the industry's labour needs but stressed that companies must invest in mechanisation.
He was responding to a question from an industry representative, who said delays in approving foreign worker quotas could affect palm oil production next year.
