FACTORIES and industries in Sabah must prioritise hiring locals, with a minimum 80% quota reserved for Sabahans, said Industrial and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe.
Responding to a supplementary question from Sindumin assemblyman Yusof Yacob (GRS), Phoong said the policy aims to end the reliance on non-Sabahan workers.
“This ensures jobs go to Sabahans first, whether in construction, permanent positions, or maintenance,” Phoong told the state assembly.
He noted that some projects had seen outside contractors bypassing local leaders and bringing in workers from Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia, or even overseas.
“We’ve seen cases where workers from China, Bangladesh, or Vietnam were hired without consulting local communities.
“This must not happen again.”
Phoong said existing factories like Esteel, SK Nexilis, and Kibing Solar have already adhered to the 80% local hiring rule.
“They’ve employed over 80% Sabahans, and this policy will remain consistent for all future projects,” he said.
The minister highlighted those industries like steel and iron, which are labour-intensive, would bring more opportunities for Sabahans compared to other sectors.
“For example, Esteel will employ 2,795 workers during its operational phase, which is a significant boost for the local community, especially in Sindumin,” he said.
Phoong also said the government is working to address the challenges factories face in recruiting locals.
“Kibing Solar, for instance, had difficulty finding enough Sabahans last year, but we facilitated the return of Sabahan workers from Peninsular Malaysia to fill these positions,” he said.
He assured that the ministry remains committed to ensuring investments in Sabah benefit its people.
“This policy supports human capital development by equipping Sabahans with modern skills and technologies while ensuring they remain the top priority for employment,” he said.
Sabah’s unemployment rate remains the highest in Malaysia at 7.9%, underscoring the state’s ongoing economic challenges. – November 19, 2024
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