Feb 9, 2012

Malaysia - One million jobs go a-begging in Malaysia



With the nation in the enviable situation of full employment, up to one million jobs have yet to be filled, the Malaysian Employers Federation said yesterday.

Changing patterns, such as job-hopping and the use of social networking tools at workplaces, have also been observed.

Some job seekers were "too choosy" while graduates demanded high salaries despite not having enough experience, said MEF executive director Shamsuddin Bardan.

"Graduates have high expectations. With this attitude, they might be unemployed for a long time. If they do not like the job, they continue living with their families. Society accepts it."

According to the labour force market survey by the Statistics Department, about 12 million people were in the workforce and 384,000 were jobless up to November last year.

(The International Labour Organisation defines that if the rate of unemployment is between four and six per cent, it is considered full employment.)

Shamsuddin said the plantation sector was actively recruiting people but the younger generation was spurning offers, despite a starting salary of RM2,000.

"They need to work hard. But the younger generation is simply not interested."

The labour force market survey also showed 12 per cent of the workforce job-hopped annually.

Shamsuddin said many companies complained of people leaving the jobs in the first three to six months of employment.

The truth is, some companies do not allow their younger staff to facebook and tweet during working hours when social networking has become an important tool among the younger generation.

"They do not just come to work for the money. They also come to socialise. If an employer forbids tweeting or facebooking, they get depressed. They leave.

"Many companies face this problem now."

Other jobs that Malaysians have turned their backs on are in the manufacturing line, which were sought after in the 1980s to mid-1990s.

There are also vacancies in the services industry, especially in resorts.

Shamsuddin said employers could stop their talented staff from leaving by offering special salary packages and incentives.

"And they should not be too strict with their employees, especially the younger ones who want to facebook and tweet during working hours."

The only way to fill the vacancies was for employers and employees to find a balance so that the country would not be dependent on foreign labour, he said.

New Straits Times



Business & Investment Opportunities
YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.

No comments:

Post a Comment