Sime Darby Pledges RM250 Million To Further Improve Welfare Of Plantation Workers

Press Release

SHAH ALAM, 6 March 2008 – Sime Darby Berhad today announced a pledge of RM250 million to improve employee social upkeep and welfare of its estates over a five-year period.

This pledge was made at an event honouring smallholders and plantation workers organised by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) here today. Collectively, the industry pledged RM1billion towards enhancing CSR initiatives in the plantation sector.

In conjunction with this event, Sime Darby’s Ladang Kempas, was presented with the Best Estate CSR Award by the MPOB for best practices in social upkeep and welfare in estates. The award was presented by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak.

Ladang Kempas Sime Darby is a 3,045 hectare estate in Jasin, Melaka which began its operations in 1952. Today, it employees a total of 314 workers and is one of Sime Darby’s model estates. Workers living on the estate enjoy among others free water supply, subsidised school bus fares, free medical treatment and free approved personal protective equipment.

Sime Darby President & Group Chief Executive Dato’ Seri Ahmad Zubir Murshid said the funds allocated will be used to upgrade and refurbish employee quarters, improve school facilities on estates and provide adequate infrastructure for estate communities.

“At Sime Darby, we believe in developing sustainable futures for all our stakeholders. We take the wellbeing of our workers seriously, and this pledge only serves to reinforce our commitment to better enhance the lives of our plantation workers,” he said.

He added that Sime Darby has always looked after the best interest of its workers and has placed equal priority on the welfare and occupational safety practices of its workers.