Name : Mohd Akmal Marzuqi bin Makmur

Student ID : 2018227152
Group : AT2205B

QUESTION 1

Jobs that locals will not do - Heard of “blue collar technicians” rather than using
workers ?

The agricultural sector is playing an increasingly important role in Malaysia 's

economy, not only helping the country to achieve food security for local consumption,
but also generating high rates of export earnings. Oil palm is a labor intensive crop
where the labor issue is one of the most intransigent problems facing the industry. The
oil palm plantation sector faces a labor shortage problem. The negative image against
this sector associated with the unattractive working environment which is commonly
refer to dark, dirty and dangerous have distress local youth to stay away from this
profession. Normally, these sector would like to hire the workers from our
neighborhood country like Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam instead of hired the
local workers. On of the main purpose why a numbers of foreign workers in Malaysia
high due to Foreign workers is often cheaper, their country that facing a low currency
issues. Workers are often attracted to countries with strong economies as they can
earn higher pays than at home. That means the host country can get a good supply of
low-cost labor and this will make it more competitive and raise profits.

The local are to demanding in choosing a job especially for the fresh graduated.
They assume work in plantation are dirty and dangerous. That why our local
mindset is quite differ to the foreign workers. The was labelled that working in
plantation sector is dirty, quite dangerous and also demanding in terms of production
and quality. So that mean that why hard to see a local to do a job in plantation sector.
Most of the workers in plantation sector were getting older and attempts to recruit
local youths also failed as the younger generation seemed more drawn to urban jobs
even though net incomes are lower and thus resulting in decreased productivity.
Employees that have a high job satisfaction care more about the quality of their work
and therefore are more committed to their organization.
QUESTION 2

Automation - your instagram sharing - how practical and how possible for
plantation to adopt ?

Nowadays there are many machines build to assist the workers in the estate to collect
the loose fruit of oil palm. However, high maintenance cost and technical problems
made it hard for the estate to buy the machines. The usage of oil palm fruit separating
machine is rarely used because of the debris. The debris has to be removed before
using the machine. As so, workers always prefer manual raking to collect the loose
fruits. There is a need to clean the debris before sending loose fruit to the mill. The
aim is to get the higher extraction oil. Some of estate can be punish if they send loose
fruit together with trash in large quantity. By introducing the new loose fruit
collection machine, it can help to lower the percentage of debris sended to the mill.
Separation of debris can done in field or centralised at collection point.

The separating machine used in this study is a mobile type hence, it can be moved
from one place to another. The separating process was done via two method of
separation, vibrating tables and a blowing mechanism. The upper vibrating table,
lower vibrating table and the twin fans were coupled directly to an engine via belts
and pulley systems. During the operations, the operator pour the bags of loose fruits
into the feeding compartment of the receiving hopper, and clean loose fruits will be
collected atathe end of the second vibrating table. The feeding compartment acts as a
first separating mechanism throughout the separating processes by retaining materials
larger than the loose fruits from going through the feeding compartment. The feeding
compartment can be manually folded up to remove the stacked debris on it.

The upper and lower vibrating tables consist of parallel aligned rods that are
designed in such a way as to allow the debris (smaller than the loose fruits ) to fall
down between the gap. The gap between the aligned rods is calculated based on the
optimum size of the loose fruits. The high-velocity air stream is created by the twin
fans to blow out the lighter materials such as dried leaflets, small stones, etc. directly
between the upper and lower vibrating tables.
 The concept of debris separation from the loose fruits via a combination of
double layer vibrating tables and high velocity of air is proven to be effective for
separating loose fruits from debris.

However, several factors need to be considered in order to successfully

recommend this machine to the oil palm industry. It was noted that the noise produced
by the machine is considered high and may risk the health of the operator for
long-term exposures. Safety precaution such as wearing earplug is recommended to
reduce the risks. Other mechanisms to create the vibrating action also should be
considered such as using an oscillating arm to change the rotation movement from the
engine to the linear movement of the vibrating tables.
QUESTION 3

Adequate social distance and protective gear, as well as routinely disinfected

work environments - how feasible and how to enforce ?

The current Covid-19 virus outbreak and subsequent global pandemic has created
uncertainties in the way we all live and work. The plantation sector has not been
spared, and plantation companies must adapt to the current situation. The enforcement
of new standard operating procedure is not that hard. Our nation, have been imposing
few regulatory during this pandemic of covid-19.

The oil palm plantation in Malaysia have been introduce the special standard of
operation (SOP) work during the pandemic Covid-19 in order to sustain the
production of palm oil especially in adequate social distancing and wear the protective
gear (proper PPE).

i. Daily operating procedures

 Daily temperature checks before commencing tasks for the day. Those with
symptoms will be denied entry to worksites, and are required to undergo health
checks at a nearby clinic or will be placed under quarantine
 Daily reminder to workers on hygiene practices. Provision of disposable face
masks, gloves and hand-sanitisers for the workers to prevent the risk of infection
 Workers are required to observe social distancing of at least 1m during morning
musters and to refrain from unnecessary interactions between teams.
 Daily disinfection of tools and vehicles after each use and workers are
encouraged to shower at their workplace before returning home or washing up
before entering their respective houses.
ii. Controlling in and out of estate

 All other entrances to estates and operational areas have been closed until further
notice except for the main entrance.
 Staff’s access in and out of the estates are only allowed for essential activities and
must obtain prior approval from the estate management
 Visitors may be allowed access into our operations areas but only on the basis of
necessities or emergency situations

iii. Improving Awareness Through Communications

 provide daily communications on the standard operating procedures as well as

COVID-19 updates during morning musters, e-mails as well as social media
platforms including WhatsApp
 All workers are also reminded to practice personal hygiene including washing
their hands regularly and to shower before returning home.

iv. In the event of Movement Restriction Orders

 Only 50% of workforce will continue to operate essential activities i.e. harvesting,
transportation of fruits, processing of fruits at mills, transportation of CPO and
PK, security, clinic and other related activities; subject to compulsory use of
mask, morning muster in multiple sessions with a maximum of 25 workers per
session, further sub-grouping with a maximum of 10 workers per group and all
office workers and support staff to work from home.