Minister calls for fair treatment, pay
EMPLOYERS need to do what is right and ensure fair treatment and pay according to the work performed, says Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Agni Deo Singh.
Mr Singh reminded employers of the recent increase in work attachment/volunteer allowances for registered National Employment Centre (NEC) clients currently engaged in their respective organisations.
The revised allowances came into effect on January 4, 2024, and this was communicated to the organisations engaging NEC-registered clients on workplace attachment or volunteerism in December last year.
Mr Singh said this was one of the strategies the ministry implemented to address skills shortages and attract interest in local employment opportunities.
“The allowance for degree graduates has increased to $180 from $120 while certificate and diploma level has increased from $100 to $150,” Mr Singh said in a statement.
“The work attachment/volunteer allowance are co-shared between the host employer and the Employment Ministry at 50 per cent contribution each.”
Mr Singh called on all graduate students to register their interest with the Formal Employment Service (FES) of the NEC under the ministry for work attachment or volunteer placement to gain skills and some form of experience before being absorbed into permanent employment with their desired employment provider.
Mr Singh also pleaded with the employers to consider these graduates for permanent employment after completing their three or six months of workplace attachment/ volunteer and not to exploit them by engaging them with permanent employment responsibilities and attachment allowances as remuneration.