Service sector in Penang still needs workers

Written by Regina William

Tuesday, 17 March 2009 13:26

GEORGE TOWN: While the manufacturing sector is freezing employment, offering voluntary separation schemes and cutting down workdays to tide over the current economic downturn, the services sector in Penang is still in need of workers.

However, most of the establishments, mainly in the health and tourism sectors, are hiring foreigners who are much more proficient in English.

Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P Ramasamy, who is also the state economic planning, education and human resources, science, technology and innovation committee chairman said these jobs could be taken up by locals, especially those who are laid off.

These included nurses and those in frontline services as the sectors seem to be expanding and are in need of workers.

"This is where the manpower department should play an active role to check on the situation as locals who lose their jobs can take up these positions.

"They should monitor the situation closely as there seems to be no mechanism to monitor the hiring of foreign workers for these sectors.

"There are ample opportunities for any Penangite, who loses his or her job, to be employed in these sectors if they are proficient in English and are willing to make mid-career changes.

"They should also be willing to make sacrifices and not be too fussy about the jobs that they take on," Ramasamy said after officiating a health and safety conference organised by the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang branch.

He cited an incident where a manufacturing facility on the mainland recruited Vietnamese workers and turned away local job seekers.

Ramasamy said the manpower department should also investigate why certain sectors were being dominated by foreigners.

On the current labour situation in Penang, Ramasamy said it was still bearable with the number of jobs available exceeding the number of jobs lost.

"We are monitoring the situation closely and so far the situation is in check.

"It will be cause for worry when the number of jobs required are more than those which are available," he added.

He said the state government was not successful in pursuing funds from the federal government for retraining of retrenched workers.

Tear gas fired at Anwar ceramah in Bkt Selambau< Prev		Next >Zaid likely to join PKR, analysts say

Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 13:27