KUALA LUMPUR – Former deputy women, family and community development minister Hannah Yeoh has questioned the hiring of 8,000 contract workers as part of a restructuring plan for the Welfare Department.
Yeoh, who is also Segambut MP, said this move by minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun does not reflect the real needs on the field.
In a statement today, Yeoh said if Rina is really serious about restructuring the department, she should instead hire 1,500 child protection officers, and psychology and social officers.
This is needed, she said, to carry out evaluation of aid applications the department receives.
“Minister Rina Harun should be reminded to not fill these 8,000 contract positions like how she appointed Yayasan Kebajikan Negara (National Welfare Foundation) volunteers, who received an allowance (which, until now, she has denied allegations that they are Bersatu Srikandi members).”
Yeoh added that the department has a 6,000-strong workforce and the sudden increase of another 8,000 workers raises concerns.
“Don’t turn the Welfare Department into a political arm. Social welfare work is not the same as political work.
“She should prove her commitment by presenting the Social Workers’ Professional Bill and appoint more child protection officers, as well as ensure they get adequate training.
“This is not about the appointment of political volunteers but about the lives of children.”
On December 10, The Vibes had reported that Yeoh had called on the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to come clean following claims that foundation volunteers were appointed mainly from Bersatu’s Srikandi wing.
Referring to an application form that was made available to her, Yeoh had said each volunteer was paid RM1,000 for three months from July 15 to October 15, across all parliamentary constituencies. – The Vibes, December 16, 2020
