New framework for oil palm

THE oil palm industry will soon have a new legislative and regulatory framework to guide its key players, says Oil Palm Minister Francis Maneke.
“As we know, the oil palm industry is old with only an extension service legislation,” Maneke added.
“We will have to do more consultations to work on the legislation, policy and framework which are now halfway done.
“I’m working on a 100-day plan, which includes the legislation for the industry.
“It will involve industry players such as government institutions to make sure that we come up with a new legislation, policy and regulatory framework to drive the industry.”
Alotau MP Ricky Morris had asked in Parliament last week about introducing a framework to ensure the rights of workers in the industry were protected.
“To prosper, we have to see to the legislation, policy and regulation,” Maneke said.
“That is the missing link that we’re working on today.
Morris said oil palm was a major industry in the country as 83 per cent of Papua New Guinea’s oil palm was operated by Sime Darby, through New Britain Palm Oil Ltd.
“In 2014, the minimum wage was set at K3.50 per hour which was to be reviewed after three years,” he said.
“But unfortunately, we have turned a blind eye to this and have not adjusted the rate.”
Morris said the minimum wage determination had exempted agricultural companies and denied Papua New Guineans who worked in the industry to participate in minimum wage.
“The prime minister wants to drive agriculture, so we need to motivate the people who make this industry work,” he said.
Morris said for too long, foreign milling companies had become regulators in the industry, leaving the Oil Palm Industry Corporation (Opic) of the picture and that this was because Opic did not have any legal regulatory powers to regulate or manage industry operations.
“The industry needs a framework to govern its operations,” Morris said.
Maneke, in response, called for the support of all MPs to work together to drive the industry forward, adding that the legislation would promote the industry.