In brief
IOI Corporation Berhad says it has developed a Pre-Employment Orientation programme with the International Organization for Migration, with co-funding from Bunge. The initiative is intended to prepare selected Indonesian workers before they travel to IOI plantations in Malaysia and support recruitment practices that avoid worker-paid fees. Its training covers adapting to work abroad, information about Malaysia and IOI, ethical recruitment, ways to raise grievances and financial literacy. IOM held an initial Train-the-Trainer session in Lombok on January 22, 2026, for selected civil society groups that will deliver the training. IOI later held a hybrid session for staff from its Human Resources and Sustainability departments on March 13, 2026, to align internal understanding of the programme.
Key takeaways
- IOI developed the orientation programme with IOM, with funding support from Bunge.
- Selected Indonesian workers are to receive training before deployment to IOI plantations in Malaysia.
- Training topics include ethical recruitment, grievances, financial literacy and adapting to work abroad.
- IOM held a Train-the-Trainer session in Lombok on January 22, 2026.
April 11, 2026 -- IOI Corporation Berhad (IOI) demonstrated its commitment to enhance pre-employment practices and safeguard workers’ rights, particularly in ensuring zero recruitment cost and minimising the risk of human rights violations, with a new Pre-Employment Orientation (PEO) programme.
The new PEO programme, spearheaded by IOI, was successfully developed in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with co-funding support from Bunge. It marks an important step in strengthening responsible recruitment practices within the industry, and IOI is the first organisation to incorporate an independent PEO module.
The PEO training module covers key areas such as mental preparedness for working abroad, an introduction to Malaysia and IOI, ethical recruitment practices, grievance mechanisms, and financial literacy. These components are designed to support workers in adapting to their new environment while promoting informed decision-making.
The first Train-the-Trainer session was organised by IOM in Lombok, Indonesia, on 22 January 2026, bringing together selected Indonesian non-governmental organisations (NGOs)/civil society organisations (CSOs). The session aimed to equip the NGOs/CSOs with the necessary knowledge and guidance to deliver PEO training to IOI’s selected workers prior to their deployment to IOI plantations in Malaysia. This approach ensures that workers are better prepared and informed about human rights, labour issues such as debt bondage, zero recruitment fees as well as their roles and responsibilities to IOI, before commencing their employment.
Our first Train-the-Trainer session for the PEO was held on 22 January 2026 in Lombok, Indonesia. (File pic by IOI Corporation).
To reinforce internal alignment, a subsequent hybrid training session was conducted on 13 March 2026 for IOI personnel, involving representatives from both Human Resources and Sustainability departments across IOI’s businesses. The session ensured that all relevant stakeholders shared a consistent understanding of the programme and its objectives.
A subsequent training session was conducted at IOI Headquarters on 13 March 2026. (File pic by IOI Corporation).
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Questions around this news
What is IOI’s Pre-Employment Orientation programme intended to do?
The programme is intended to prepare selected workers before they travel to jobs at IOI plantations in Malaysia. Its stated aims include promoting informed decisions, helping workers adjust to a new environment, explaining workers’ rights and responsibilities, and supporting recruitment without worker-paid fees.
What topics are covered in the orientation training?
The training covers preparation for working abroad, information about Malaysia and IOI, ethical recruitment, ways to raise grievances, and financial literacy. The release says these topics are intended to help workers understand their new surroundings and make informed decisions before beginning employment.
Who developed and supported IOI’s orientation programme?
IOI developed the programme in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration, with co-funding support from Bunge. The release describes the initiative as the first time IOI has incorporated an independent pre-employment orientation module into its recruitment practices.
How were trainers and IOI staff prepared for the programme?
The International Organization for Migration held a Train-the-Trainer session in Lombok, Indonesia, for selected Indonesian NGOs and civil society organisations, so they could deliver training to workers before deployment. IOI later held a hybrid session for personnel from its Human Resources and Sustainability departments to align their understanding of the programme.
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