MEF reiterates ex-convicts, refugees should be employed in workforce

SHAH ALAM - The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has stressed that ex-convicts should be given appropriate skill training to make them employable.

Its President Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said the skill training should be given while the ex-convicts are serving their respective sentences.

He further added that MEF not only supports employment of ex-inmates but also refugees registered with United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCR).

"Employers are willing to hire ex-prisoners who are reformed and posses the necessary skills for the job.

"While in prison, they are given skills training and would have acquired skills which are required by industries," he said to Sinar Daily.

Commenting further, Syed Hussain said employers are facing shortages of manpower and it is vital that the issue is addressed for the sake of economic growth in the country.

"In February 2023, there were about 72,000 prisoners with about 18 percent of them foreigners.

"The government spends more than RM1.6 billion annually on the management of prisons.

"The country needs to resolve its manpower shortages to boost both local and foreign investors and confidence and to maintain Malaysia’s competitiveness," he said.

It was reported that Human Resources Ministry is aiming for 15,000 ex-prisioners and Henry Gurney school inmates and convicts due for release to be given employment this year.

Human Resource Minister V Sivakumar said there were currently 77,000 prisioners who could become productive workers and be hired upon their release, saying that this would reduce the country's dependence on foreign workers.