PETALING JAYA: Malaysia aims to reduce its dependence on over 1.8 million foreign workers by integrating ex-convicts into the workforce, according to the Social Security Organisation (Socso).
Its spokesman said former inmates were an alternative source of labour that employers could focus on since the hiring costs are much lower, while facilitating access to local workers.
According to the Home Affairs Ministry, the number of foreign workers with active Temporary Employment Visit Passes increased by 25.2% from 1,459,196 in 2022 to 1,821,633 as of Sept 30 this year.
“Socso also keeps track of active foreign workers, and their records show there were 1,576,334 last year compared with 1,881,182 as of October this year.”
He said Socso collaborates with the Prison Department and profiling exercises and job-matching activities are done regularly at prisons based on the timeline of when an inmate would be released.
“This year alone, 2,321 profiling exercises were carried out, with almost 15 interviews nationwide resulting in 893 ex-convicts and 135 ‘Persons on Parole’ and ‘Persons Under Supervision’ being offered jobs as of Nov 2.”
Socso statistics from 2021 to November this year also showed a total of 893 ex-prisoners and 150 individuals under parole and supervision were offered employment through the Job Placement of Prison Inmates programme.
He said Socso is looking at specific sectors in which ex-convicts could replace foreign workers, with a ratio of one ex-convict for every two positions planned for the hiring of foreign workers.
“The job offered to ex-convicts is mostly in the low-skill category, mainly due to two factors, notably stigmatism among employers and inadequate qualifications.
“Sectors like accommodation and food service, agriculture, forestry and fishing, manufacturing, construction and other services were the top in providing employment opportunities.”
He said the Employment Act 1955 prohibits discrimination against employees, adding that salaries are set by employers based on qualifications, experience, location and job responsibilities.
He added that the minimum wage policy ensures all employees, including ex-convicts, receive at least RM1,500 per month.
MYFutureJobs, an initiative by Socso for jobseekers, also serves as a localisation facility and companies that need to hire foreigners or expatriates are required to first post the vacancies on the platform.
The spokesman said companies that are unwilling to consider locals, including ex-convicts, despite their suitability for positions, may be denied the privilege to post jobs on the portal due to poor localisation efforts.
He said the government is on the right track by looking into active labour market programmes such as the Job Support Scheme, that will be open in January to provide recruitment support for employers.
“Socso will continue to guide companies through the process. We will provide the required support to promote the hiring of ex-convicts.
“Budget 2024, which includes six initiatives to be implemented by Socso, reflects the government’s commitment to boost new job opportunities and strengthening the social protection network, which includes ex-convicts.
“To encourage private employers to hire vulnerable people such as the disabled, ex-convicts and senior citizens with meaningful salaries, Socso will provide a special incentive of RM1,500 per month for six months.
“This will support the entry of more than 3,300 job seekers with a total allocation of RM30 million,” he said.
Several Socso awareness programmes on the hiring of ex-convicts have been scheduled for 2024.
“We hope to break barriers and erase the stigma surrounding the hiring of ex-convicts to reduce the number of foreign workers.”
