KUALA LUMPUR: MIC will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Home Minister, to push for a solution for the labour shortage in Cameron Highlands.
MIC Youth chief Datuk Sivaraajh Chandran said the government's help is needed to avert a worsening shortage of workers.
He said a study found that Cameron Highlands contributes about RM5 billion to the gross domestic product (GDP).
"With so much at stake, the relevant authorities must act fast to find an immediate solution," he said in a statement today.
Cameron Highlands, a mountainous region known for its agricultural and tourism-based resources, is deemed as MIC's traditional political seat which they have held since 2004.
Sivaraajh said the Home Ministry needs to review the ratio of labor force per hectare of farmland throughout the country, especially in Cameron Highlands.
At present, the ratio of six workers per hectare is insufficient due to dependence on manual labour, thus affecting agricultural produce.
"The ratio should be increased to 12 labourers per hectare to improve agricultural productivity," he said.
On Jan 21, Cameron Highlands Agricultural Cooperative Association representative Wong Seng Yee was reported as saying that the shortage was about 50 per cent, with at least a quarter of farmlands lying fallow.
The shortage had worsened following a series of operations termed 'Ops Gading' led by the National Security Council (NSC) to clear illegal farms and nab illegal foreign workers.
Wong said the tight manpower situation has been ongoing for many years, but has never been this serious.
Farmers are facing market failure and production problems, especially those who export their produce.
The labour shortage delays harvest and replanting, thereby reducing yields, which means they are not able to meet their contractual obligations.”
He warned the situation could lead to higher vegetable prices.