By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
SHAH ALAM, Aug 13 — The Selangor government will uplift efforts under its workers’ empowerment portfolio to help those who had lost their source of income following the Covid-19 pandemic.
State executive councillor for socio-economic development and workers empowerment V Ganabatirau said among the measures to be taken include increasing funds to assist the affected groups, which he said have recently grown in number.
“The workers’ empowerment portfolio, which was introduced last October, has to be reviewed to include certain plans and allocations as it is a call of concern if more Selangor citizens are to face unemployment or loss of income.
“If we do not act on it, it may give an impact on the people’s economy and emotional health among those who lost their jobs, who may be pressured to the point of being suicidal,” he told SelangorKini.
Ganabatirau said companies should also boost the recruitment of local workers over foreigners in order to help improve the people’s economy.
“If we hire more locals, then we would depend less on foreign workers. We should improve the economy of the locals to be better than the foreigners,” he said.
On October 7, 2021, Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari had unveiled the new lineup of the Selangor State Executive Council lineup, following the appointment of the two new state executive councillors on September 17 last year.
Amirudin had disclosed five new portfolios to meet the current needs of the state namely Cultivation of Innovation and Smart Selangor (originally Science, Technology, and Innovation); Disaster Management; Workers Empowerment; Unity; and Halal Industry.
