PETALING JAYA: Plantation associations are urging the Sabah government to review the mandatory implementation of the Foreign Worker Training System (SLPA) via the e-Lestari platform, particularly the RM300 fee imposed for each foreign worker.
In a joint statement on Friday (Oct 2), the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) Sabah branch, the East Malaysia Planters' Association (Empa) and the Malaysian Estate Owners' Association (MEOA) said the industry supports worker training and compliance measures but questioned the need for an additional mandatory training requirement.
They said that plantation companies already invest heavily in worker induction programmes, occupational safety and health training, employment compliance, responsible recruitment and worker awareness initiatives.
"The industry's concern is not simply that RM300 per worker is high. The more fundamental concern is the creation of an additional mandatory compliance layer that carries a substantial recurring cost and is tied to an existing regulatory licensing process," they said.
"The workers should be trained, but the concern is whether the present mandatory e-Lestari framework, particularly its linkage to the issuance and renewal of the Licence to Employ Non-Resident Workers and the recurring RM300 per-worker fee, is proportionate to the additional outcomes it is intended to deliver," they added.
The associations said that of 76,726 registered foreign workers in Sabah's plantation sector, an estimated cost could reach about RM23mil for one full cycle.
They said an employer with 5,000 foreign workers could face direct costs of about RM1.5mil per cycle.
The associations also called for greater transparency on how the RM300 fee is determined and utilised and proposed that equivalent employer-provided training be recognised to avoid duplication.
According to e-Lestari, a grace period has been provided for employers applying for new licences or renewals between Oct 1 and Dec 31, 2026.
During this period, workers may complete the required training by Dec 31, 2026. However, the training fee must be paid upfront as proof of compliance with the programme's requirements.
The training programme is supervised by the Sabah Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation and carried out by Sabah Skills Development Sdn Bhd, will be managed through the e-Lestari portal, effective Oct 1.
