by Mohamad Azlan Jaafar (Malaysia Reserve) Several anti-palm oil groups are pressuring international manufacturers to boycott products from Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGVH), according to industry sources.
FGVH, Malaysia’s largest oil palm planter, is being singled out for using “unfair labour practices” among other things.
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Previously, anti-palm oil lobbyists, comprising NGOs and consumer groups, have cited deforestation, destruction of peatlands, health concerns, habitat degradation, animal cruelty and indigenous rights abuses to spread their anti-palm oil gospel.
Today, they have added “modern slavery” into their argument to force international food and consumer goods manufacturers to abandon palm oil in the production of their products.
It is believed that the companies being pressured to boycott palm oil from FGVH are household brands in Malaysia.
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The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) recently published a report highlighting human rights and labour violations including non-payment of wages and forced labour, especially among their foreign workforce in the Malaysian palm estates.
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In response to the WSJ report, FGVH issued a statement denying the accusations and that its foreign employees are given the same rights and privileges as Malaysian workers.
FGVH also said that it adheres to standard labour policies and legislation. Palm oil advocates say antipalm oil lobbyists have an agenda to run down oil palm to raise market share of other vegetable oils. READ MORE and MORE (Wall Street Journal 2013) and MORE / MORE (Wall Street Journal July 2015)
