Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
KUALA LUMPUR: Youths, especially university graduates are advised to get rid of their “being too choosy” attitude about jobs to avoid staying unemployed.
Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Shamsuddin Bardan said although the 3.2 per cent national unemployment rate was not worrisome, it comprised mostly of youths.
“Although the government has implemented various measures to help youths obtain employment and even if they have qualifications, that poor attitude will cause unemployment.
“For instance, they demand a much higher salary for an easy job, are not willing to begin work at the bottom to gain experience and focus on seeking jobs in the white-collar sector,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.
Shamsuddin was commenting on the government’s efforts to help over 400,000 unemployed youths in the country.
Yesterday, Human Resource Minister Richard Riot said the government was working hard to bring down the rate of unemployment among youths by helping them find jobs.
Shamsuddin, in the meantime suggested that the government provide incentives for the private sector to train graduates who had just entered the employment world after being unemployed more than a year.
“The training provided not only will help them adapt to the new working environment but also prepare them with skills in their respective fields,” he said.
Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services’ (Cuepacs) president Azih Muda said employers should reduce the intake of foreign workers in order to open up more jobs for locals.
“Give youths especially diploma and degree graduates who possess technical skills a chance to work to overcome the unemployment problems among them,” he said.
He said the government also needed to encourage youths to register themselves with JobsMalaysia and the Labour Department to secure employment.
Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president Mohd Khalid Atan pointed out that the government should identify unemployed youths and help them obtain jobs as unemployment among this group was estimated to increase each year.
He also encouraged school leavers who could not secure places in higher learning institutions to take up vocational skills training by participating in the Vocational and Technical Education Transformation.
Source: Bernama
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