‘Better to work in Sarawak than elsewhere as unskilled labour’

Posted on February 8, 2012, Wednesday

MIRI: It is better to work in the state than work in factories or as unskilled labour in Kuala Lumpur.

Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah pointed this out to job seekers in Sarawak yesterday.

Several young women from Sarawak who accepted work in factories or other jobs in Kuala Lumpur were forced to work as guest relations officers (GROs) at night spots, while young men were forced to be drug pushers instead of the jobs promised. Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit revealed recently.

Fatimah said the ministry had yet to receive the number of young Sarawakians who have fallen prey to such tricks.

“I believe most of them are school leavers leaving Sarawak in a group after being offered jobs by recruitment agencies. The intention of these syndicates is not to offer jobs but for other type of work.”

“We encourage them if they want job experience outside Sarawak. But if as factory worker or unskilled labour, better to work in the state as you are not sure of the credibility of the employment agency outside,” she advised, reminding them to check with Manpower Office for credibility.

She encouraged Form 5 school leavers who were academically good to go for further education at least to tertiary level, while those not academically-inclined go for technical training.

Fatimah revealed that in Sarawak, not less than 70 institutions offered various kinds of skills training.

“They must be receptive to training for Sarawak Corridor Of Renewable Energy (SCORE). There are two aluminium smelting plants companies in Mukah and Samalaju looking for local trained workers. Training schools have signed MOUs with these two companies to train Form 5 school leavers. They will undertake three months of training at the plants,” Fatimah said, adding that 100 will be employed in Mukah and 400 Samalaju this year.

“This is just a small example of how industries under SCORE provide job opportunities.”

Fatimah said there will be at least 60,000 future job opportunities every five years under SCORE. The training is being done now. In fact, some training schools are doing it. They are working with the industry themselves. The schools train according to the needs of industries.

“We want our school leavers to change their mindset by not looking at jobs in these industries as second class. In future, jobs are more in the 10 industries under SCORE. Once you are trained, your salary can be good especially those trained and send overseas such as China for further training where the salary could be four to five figures,” said Fatimah.

On women being tricked into becoming drug mules, Fatimah believed they were cheated by professional conmen.

“They study the weakness of the target group mostly from the vulnerable group such as single mothers and broken families who need love, care and attention. Sweet words and promises are enough as they are playing with feelings.”

“We must not believe that we can become rich overnight. This is a bait. Always believe in your own effort and honest work. It is not easy to be rich and easy to land yourself into trouble. You have to remember that and you have to be careful as they zero in on your area of weakness,” Fatimah said, reminding Sarawakian women not to be hoodwinked by anyone.