In managing a plantation, often the most difficult and variable factor is managing your human resources well. Most would probably know that Malaysian Palm Oil industry relies very heavily on Indonesians as a source of workers for harvesting.
Often, plantation owners will have to face the constantly rather difficult to manage workers. Problems would range from workers running away from plantation (due to different expectations), workers refusing to work to workers who would instigate others to give management problems
It can be said that if you know how to manage your workers well, you have a better success rate at managint the plantation as most other factors can be controlled, like fertilisers, killing weeds, etc.
Other issues which you need to look at is foreign workers application. The current system requires you to register with the local labour office who would then interview you to see how many workers you may apply for. Here’s where it gets a bit tricky. The rule of thumb should be one worker for every 20 acres but often most officers would exercise their own set of rules.
Once approved by labour office, you will then be directed to KHEDN (Kementerian Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri) where they will further vet your application and give you a final approval. Although the supposedly guidelines is that if your plantation is less than 100 acres, you will be considered a small holder and hence pay a lower premium (which I think is RM360, correct me if I am wrong) and if you own more than 100 acres, you will pay a levy of RM540.
Once approved which normally takes no less than 4 months from your date of first application with the labour office.
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