A socio-economic study on the oil palm estate workers in Sarawak / Anne Wong Muk Ngiik … [et.al.]

Working in the oil palm estates is more of a circumstance rather than a favourite choice among the local population. Many workers work in the estates because of the proximity of the estates to their homes. The majority of those surveyed are not satisfied with the income that they receive from the estates. As a whole, the workers surveyed receive an average income of RM 318 per month. This level of income is insufficient to meet their average monthly expenses of RM 405 month which they spend mainly on food, education and medical expenses. The foreign workers receive higher average monthly income of RM 461.50. This is because they are willing to take up tough estate works such as harvesting. Most ofthem choose to be paid on a contract basis while the local workers prefer to be paid on a daily basis .