SHAH ALAM, July 30 — The initiative of the state government to hold various programmes like career carnivals and help for youths was the most significant contributor to a drop in the unemployment rate in Selangor, which recorded 2.6 per cent in the first quarter of this year.
State executive councillor for youth, sports and human capital development Mohd Khairuddin Othman said Selangor recorded a drop in the unemployment rate of 0.3 per cent, from the 2.9 per cent overall rate last year.
Through the career carnival programmes held since 2019, about 20,000 individuals in the state have successfully found jobs in various sectors.
“The career carnivals organised by the state government are very popular events among jobseekers since at least 1,800 individuals will secure job opportunities every time one is held.
“The carnivals also received the support of various large and well-known companies like Proton, Genting Highlands Resorts, Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd, and many more,” he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama.
Through the Roda Darul Ehsan Initiative (RiDE) launched in 2021, a total of 9,227 p-hailing workers have benefited from RM500 in cash and contributions to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), worth RM50.
“Initially, this initiative was meant to help p-hailing workers who were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as encourage them to make contributions to the EPF. Who would have thought the move by the state government also succeeded in encouraging the unemployed to earn a living through this platform?
“Because of that, the state government allocated RM2 million this year to help more than 3,000 p-hailing workers. Following encouraging requests, the Menteri Besar (Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari) announced an additional RM1 million allocation to help more workers in the industry,” Mohd Khairuddin said.
The effort indicates the state government is aware and concerned for all groups, including youths, and will continue the programme in the future.
He added that in an effort to reduce unemployment in Selangor, they have also taken other initiatives like the Selangor Smart Professional Skills and Expertise Initiative (Iktisass) programme, which helps provide skilled workers in the state.
“We also offer skills courses under the Selangor Technical Development Centre (STDC) for orphans and asnaf. We know some of them find it difficult to support themselves after having lived in shelters, so the state government set up this programme.
“The cost of registration fees, tuition and student accommodation during the training period are fully borne by the Selangor government under Iktisass. In addition, a subsistence allowance amounting to RM300 will also be given each month during the training period which the state government also bears,” Mohd Khairuddin said.
— Bernama
