BUTTERWORTH – Unemployment and industry players’ awareness of labour issues were among key topics addressed by various speakers during the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp)’s two-day event for the northern region.
In summarising key takeaways from the event, Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) senior manager Haslena Ismail said the federation is committed to working with HRD Corp, by reaching out to employers and enlightening them on the latest developments.
Haslena, who also served as an exhibitor at the event, said the message delivered by the speakers will be conveyed to 63,000 of MEF’s registered ordinary members and 281 industrial groups as its associate members, who combined employ more than three million employees in the country.
“The HRD Corp open day programme is a golden opportunity for MEF to reach out to employers.
“Our duty is to provide consultancy on labour-related matters and labour law to the employers.
HRD Corp has provided us with the (necessary) platform, and has made it easier to connect to our members and help recruit other employers to be our members easily,” she said.
Thanks to HRD Corp, she said, there was an overwhelming response at their booth during the two-day programme.
HRD Corp’s open day programme, which is part of its national forum series, was held at The Light Hotel in Seberang Jaya on March 10 and 11.
The programme was officially opened by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, while Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin participated in the event as a panel speaker.
It was also attended by HRD Corp chief executive Datuk Shahul Hameed Dawood, HRD Corp chairman Datuk Seri Jamil Salleh, and HRD Corp chief operating officer Datuk Ariff Farhan Doss.
The two-day event saw the participation of various private and government agencies, such as MEF, Employees Provident Fund, Social Security Organisation, and Penang Skill Development Corporation across 30 exhibition booths.
The programme also included a forum which discussed the National Action Plan on Forced Labour, with several panellists and speakers addressing the labour situation and overcoming unemployment.
Employment opportunities through exhibition
According to one participant, Aqil Azahar, 24, HRD Corp’s programme would enable him to secure a job faster due to the opportunities made available at the exhibition booths.
“I am happy to say that through the programme, I was able to attend two job interviews – one for a job as a failure analysis engineer at a manufacturing plant at the Kulim High-Tech Park and another at a semiconductor factory in Bayan Lepas.
“I am confident that I will get a job soon,” the USM fresh graduate said, adding that he has since shared details of job interviews with his batch mates so that they will be able to secure employment sooner.
Stop ‘bangau-ing’, motivational speaker tells jobseekers
Meanwhile, motivational speaker Mohd Rizal Hassan, 51, who delivered his speech during the second day of the event, said he was happy to play a part in the programme, as he believes his message would have improved the participants’ outlook for the better.
As a motivator, Rizal said individuals should stop giving excuses for hardships in life, as it would be a convenient reason for one not to progress in life.
“I will normally tell people to ‘stop bangau-ing’, which is the habit of always giving excuses for any situation, as it will never take anyone to a better position.
“One must always strive in life to make a better tomorrow for themselves and others,” the seasoned speaker said, adding that he has conducted various motivational programs in the United Kingdom, India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Human resources minister gives ‘personal commitment’ to addressing forced labour issue
At the opening of the programme and forum on Thursday, Saravanan gave his “personal commitment” to address the scourge of forced labour.
Forced labour, he said, is often associated with migrant workers, due to their vulnerability and the country’s high reliance on migrant workers in labour-intensive sectors and industries.
Saravanan pointed out that it is very important for Malaysians to address such concerns quickly, progressively and effectively to solve the forced labour predicament.
To end the issue, he also said the ministry has made it mandatory for employers looking to employ migrant workers in compliance with the Workers Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).
He added that as chairman of the special committee to study labour trafficking under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council, he has instructed his ministry to work with the relevant parties to implement necessary measures to tackle the problem of forced labour. – The Vibes, March 12, 2022
