Ling says Johor is facing a shortage of healthcare workers, even in private hospitals.
JOHOR is losing its healthcare talents to its southern neighbour.
State health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the state’s proximity to the republic and its stronger currency made jobs across the Causeway more attractive, but this had resulted in a shortage of labour in the state.
“We are facing a shortage of healthcare workers.
“I had previously suggested that a reward or payment scheme be introduced to retain medical staff in the country as many Johor doctors and nurses had crossed over to Singapore for better opportunities.
“Not only are public hospitals having these problems but private hospitals, too, are also facing a similar shortage.”
He encouraged job seekers to visit the MYFutureJobs website, which listed more than 20,000 job vacancies in the state.
“According to the Social Security Organisation (Socso), 2,085 people in Johor lost their jobs in the first half of the year.
“MYFutureJobs also held a career fair in various parts of Johor from July 15 to 16.
“In Batu Pahat, where my constituency is located, there were 3,726 vacancies for 87 types of positions on offer, where 81.64% came with a salary of more than RM2,000.”
State youth, sports, entrepreneur development, cooperatives and human resources committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said 204 job seekers received employment offers following interviews at the career fair.
Besides that, he said 2,449 individuals were called for a second interview and 5,727 job applications were received throughout the fair, which was organised by Johor Unit Strategik Modal Insan, Socso and the Johor Petroleum Development Corporation Bhd.
