Parliament was informed on Tuesday that the administration plans to increase the number of job chances for ex-convicts in order to replace foreign workers in the nation.
According to Bernama, Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar said ex-offenders, especially those convicted for minor offenses, are still useful workers.
“We can use them (ex-convicts) to replace foreign workers. Efforts have been made by the ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs. And they are implemented through the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) with training provided.
“Many [former prisoners] have been given job opportunities. Prisoners are given training and when they come out. They can join the employment market,” he said during a question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.
He was answering a follow-up inquiry from RSN Rayer (Pakatan Harapan-Jelutong). Who inquired whether the government intended to act as a middleman between employers and jails. In order to arrange for replacing foreign workers with ex-convicts.
In the meantime, Sivakumar responded to an initial inquiry regarding the number of foreign workers in the nation from Datuk Awang Hashim (Perikatan Nasional-Pendang). He stated that as of September 30, the overall projected number was 2,730,153.
In accordance with the Workforce Recalibration Programme 2.0, he claimed that the figures comprised 747,167 registered illegal immigrants. Followed by 152,158 foreign workers who had not yet entered the nation, and 1,830,828 active temporary employment pass holders.
“The use of foreign workers is to meet the labor needs of certain sectors that are difficult to fill with local workers. Therefore, the government implements various initiatives across ministries and agencies to encourage the local workforce to venture into jobs in sectors dominated by foreign workers.
“The ministry encourages industries to switch to the use of automation, mechanisation and digitalisation that can create demand for high-skilled workers. Thus gradually reducing the dependence on low-skilled foreign workers,” he stated.
Parliament was informed on Tuesday that the administration plans to increase the number of job chances for ex-convicts in order to replace foreign workers in the nation.