Malaysia's palm oil industry reminded to abide by human rights due diligence practices

Human rights due diligence should not be seen as a burden, but rather as an advantage for businesses to lead by example, says Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof.

Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Fadillah Yusof has urged Malaysia's palm oil sector to practise human rights due diligence (HRDD). 

Speaking at workshop for palm oil companies on best practices, hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities, the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Human Rights Coalition (HRC), he recognised that Malaysia’s palm oil sector has been under scrutiny in recent years — particularly in connection with its human rights practices. This has prompted many industry players to adopt innovative and responsible business practices.]

In the same line, DPM Yusof commended the People Positive Palm Project (P3 Project), a joint effort by the Fair Labor Association (FLA), and International Organisation on Migration (IOM) which aims to eradicate forced labour from the Malaysian palm oil industry. 

"The Government, in particular the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC), welcomes the People Positive Palm Project, which aims to support companies in the palm oil sector to eliminate forced labour from their operations and supply chains."

As he reminds, human rights due diligence should not be seen as a burden, but rather as an advantage for businesses to lead by example, enhance their resilience, and secure the exportability of their products globally and anticipate market disruptions in times of crisis.

"I hope the palm oil sector, through a pragmatic business approach to HRDD, will address root causes of forced labour in a sustainable and structural manner, and charting the right course right from the outset is extremely important."

 Lead image / Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Fadillah Yusof's Facebook