KUALA LUMPUR: Workers in the plantation and commodities sector have been exempted from the Movement Control Order and are allowed to resume their work activities, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said today.
He said the ministry is aware that the enforcement of the order from March 18-31 would have an impact on the sector.
“The ministry is aware of the importance of the oil palm and rubber industries which contribute to the supply chain related to the provision of essential services, such as supplies of cooking oil and medical equipment like gloves and catheters,” he said in a statement.
Following the exemption, activities such as harvesting and processing fresh fruit bunches by plantation companies, smallholders and palm oil millers may be continued.
The exemption also includes processing of crude palm oil at the refineries for the production of cooking oils to meet local demand.
Rubber tapping is also allowed to continue to ensure the supply of raw materials for medical items such as gloves and catheters, while the timber sector may resume their operations to fulfil their existing contract orders.
However, workers will need to abide by all preventive and control measures including ensuring social distancing and returning home straight after work, as well as practising good hygiene habits such as washing their hands with soap or hand sanitisers. – March 19, 2020, Bernama
