Kula: Have agreements so skilled works don't leave

PUTRAJAYA, May 27 (Bernama) -- Employers should draw up agreements with workers so that they do not 'jump ship' after obtaining skills training, said Minister of Human Resources M. Kula Segaran.

He said employers had a tendency to hire foreign workers due to concerns that local workers would quit as soon as they were given skills.

"Employers must encourage their workers to obtain skills, but there are concerns that they will run away after getting skills.

"It is very sad for employers when workers, who have been given skills, run off, as this will affect their businesses," he told reporters after National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) Meeting, here today.

Kula Segaran said that the employers could adopt the formula of the government when sponsoring students abroad to ensure their employees served loyally.

‘’If the government can ensure students studying abroad under their sponsorships can come home to contribute their knowledge and expertise to the country via an agreement, why not we try the same agreement with our workers.

The employers can use the same formula for their workers pursuing skills training outside of work hours to ensure they do not run away,’’ he said.

Kula Segaran said that in a meeting with state human resources executive councillors, he also stressed on the importance of spurring the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policy for up-skilling and re-skilling students and the existing work force.

‘’This is in line with the aspiration of the government to boost skilled manpower to 35 per cent by 2020 from the 28 per cent currently,’’ he said.

As such, he suggested that the Manpower Department opened skills training centres after 5.30 pm to meet the need of training the existing work force.

According to Kula Segaran, the existing salaries could be boosted by 10-20 per cent if the proposal was implemented.

-- BERNAMA