BN manifesto sees workers as pulse of transformation

KUALA LUMPUR: Workers have been recognised as an important instrument to propel Malaysia among the 20 developed countries by 2050 as set in National Transformation 2050 (TN50).

As the driver of national transformation, the government had set up various plans to ensure the welfare of about 15.08 million workers in the country are assured, more so with the impact of Industry 4.0 revolution which stressed on automation and the lower need for manpower would be increasingly felt.

The worries of some quarters especially the young on the emergence of Industry 4.0 which will shrink employment opportunities in the country was answered in Barisan National Manifesto for the 14th general election with the assurance to create more than three million job in five years.

Based on the detailed planning in place and those being implemented by the government, the figure of three million jobs is not difficult to achieve and is not impossible.

Among the initiatives to be carried out was to expedite the development of Malaysian Vision Valley – which is expected to create 1.3 million jobs; featuring high technology industries to create more highly skilled employment; create 10,000 employment opportunities in social enterprises with special funds from governmentlinked companies (GLC); reduce dependence on foreign workers; extend the practice of flexible work hours for civil servants.

BN also offered skill and employment training for the less fortunate people; expand employment opportunities for disabled people by setting up a special one-stop centre for them to market their services online as well as Special Economic Zone in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah to open more employment opportunities to Kedah residents and youths.

BN Youth deputy chairman Senator Khairul Azwan Harun said the additional three million new and high income employment opportunities would be created for Malaysians to prove the commitment of BN's integrity.

According to him, the offer is not aimed at any one group as BN is committed to create employment opportunities for every strata of society.

Obviously the assurance would attract the interest of youths especially young graduates who had just completed their studies.

Public university student Nur Sakinah Ramli, 25, of Kuala Nerang, Kedah said the initiative offered would be able to reduce the increasing number graduates who were not successful in getting jobs in the government or private sectors.

Through these openings, young graduates would have the opportunities to express their ideas to contribute to the country's development and progress in future. It will also reduce the unemployment rate among graduates who have to compete with the recruitment of foreign workers,” he told Bernama.

Private higher education institute student, Norsyamilah Abdullah, 27, from Felda Sungai Tiang, Pendang said the employment aspect of BN's Manifesto would bring about more programmes such as the 1Malaysia Training Scheme (SL1M) set up for youths.

“Programmes such as SL1M, would help to boost the marketability of graduates by preparing them with knowledge, skills, employment opportunities which could be adopted by young graduates to obtain jobs.

Nur Ilham Zamri, 19, of Kelantan who is now studying electrical engineering at a polytechnic said the pledge of the government would feature high-tech industries to create more highly skilled jobs to meet the demand for employment.

On top of the three million jobs, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak also announced an additional one million jobs through the MyApprenticeship programme.

MyApprenticeship is an initiative of the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) focused on youths with diplomas and degrees, women as well as workers to participate in apprenticeship in the public and private sectors to obtain valuable skills and work experience to enhance their marketability.

The programme led by the Human Resource Ministry, Finance Ministry, with NBOS cooperation with Youth and Sports Ministry, Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, Higher Education Ministry, Education Ministry, and the Blue Ocean Corporate Council (BOCC). Bernama