SIBU: The increase in palm oil prices in the plantation sector has attracted workers from other sectors, said Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

       He added that the phenomenon had also affected the construction sector as its workers had switched over to the plantation sector.

       The impact of the shortage of construction workers can be seen when several construction projects have been delayed in completion, including the Pan Borneo Highway project, he told Bernama.

       “(Palm oil price is good now) and they (palm oil industry players) are willing to pay any fee to hire workers, and one of the victims is the construction sector.

       “The construction sector (makes payments to workers) based on market value and skill level of the workers,” he told reporters after participating in the Jelajah FTRoadpedia Sarawak programme at the Selaungau flyover yesterday.

       Organised by the Works Ministry, the Jelajah FTRoadpedia Sarawak runs from June 9 until 11, with the aim of monitoring the current development of the Pan Borneo Highway stretches in Kuching, Bintulu, Sibu and Miri districts.

       Elaborating further, Fadillah said the competition for workers between the various sectors happens not just in Sarawak, but nationwide.

       “Thus, there are some companies that use head-hunters for recruitment. The respective industries must find ways to offer better benefits to retain their workers,” he said.

       On Thursday, Fadillah said when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, many workers involved in the Pan Borneo Sarawak project returned to their countries of origin.