GOVT TASK FORCE TO CREATE 1M JOBS
It will also look at raising youths’ starting salary which has been static for 20 years, says minister
THE government will set up a special task force to prepare one million high-quality jobs for youths in the next five to 10 years.
Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the task force, to be chaired by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was approved in the recent cabinet meeting.
He said the task force members included corporate figures who were instrumental in creating job opportunities in the country.
“We need the support of the private and corporate sectors.
“A research report by Bank Negara Malaysia showed that our starting salary has been static for almost 20 years, not only for TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) graduates but also for degree and masters holders.
“As such, we should collaborate with the private sector to increase the salary of youths. All this will be discussed and addressed by the task force,” he said at the Penang Youth Carnival here yesterday.
Syed Saddiq said the unemployment rate of youths in
Malaysia stood at 10.7 per cent. Lowering that figure to a single digit would be the task force’s main aim, he added.
He said the task force would also look into the salary range of high-, medium- and low-tier jobs.
“Some claim that youths are demanding too much, up to RM6,000.
“This is wrong, as research has shown otherwise.
“Youths are not seeking an exorbitant salary but a dignified wage,” he said.
On a separate issue, Syed Saddiq said the economy, as well as the tourism sector, stood to benefit from Malaysia’s hosting of major e-sports events.
He cited the Dota 2 Major event organised last year at the Axiata Arena, which the government did not spend anything on. The event, organised by the corporate sector, offered a grand prize of US$1 million (RM4.13 million) for the winner.
“The tickets were quite expensive but 40 per cent of them were sold to outsiders. The stadium was packed for three days, filling up to 12,000 seats.
“This boosted the tourism sector. The government made money but it did not spend anything.
“This field (e-sports) enables the corporate sector to come forward to invest because it knows there is a return on investment. So I hope it will materialise.”
On Saturday, the minister announced that Malaysia may bid to become the host for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang World Cup, which will be held in a Southeast Asian country this year.