JOHOR residents who have been working in Singapore for 10 to 15 years should consider taking up job offers in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
National University of Singapore Southeast Asian Studies Department lecturer Dr Serina Rahman said most of these workers would probably be in their 40s and exhausted from the commute.
Serina says JS-SEZ jobs might not appeal to new job seekers.“They have paid off their debts and are looking to earn almost as much and have more time with family,” she said.
The ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute associate fellow, however, said the JS-SEZ-generated jobs might not appeal to new job-seekers and those who were just starting their careers.
Since the primary goal of the majority of Johor folks was to work in the republic and earn in Singapore dollars, many would be unlikely to accept jobs at Iskandar Malaysia data centres, said Serina.
“Even as a senior cleaner or working F&B positions in Singapore, workers can bring home about RM7,000 (if they earn about S$2,500),” she noted.
She said while those jobs were deemed difficult, dangerous or somewhat demeaning, the potential income earned would make it worthwhile.
She further said that gearing vocational studies in Johor to meet the needs of the JS-SEZ industries might also help increase the attractiveness of work in Johor.
“Plus, there should be other perks that can overcome the drudgery of the daily or weekly commute,” she added.
Serina said capacity building opportunities at the JS-SEZ therefore needed to include reskilling or training to enable these types of Singapore commuters to return to Johor.
She suggested the spillover from the JS-SEZ in the tourism and ancillary or support services would not only benefit Johor but also Melaka and Negri Sembilan under the Southern Gateway Economic Corridor.
Meanwhile, Johor investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resource committee chairman Lee Ting Han said the issue of workers at the JS-SEZ have the potential of earning up to RM7,000 was hotly discussed.
Lee says Johor government will come up with salary guidelines.
“Feedback received from companies and industries in Iskandar Malaysia showed high wages should be linked to productivity and skills,” he said.
Lee said the state government would hold discussions with the electrical and electronics, oil and gas, and data centre operators and players to achieve a basic understanding of the high salary scales in Johor.
“It is important to engage with the industries; the state government will come out with guidelines on the salary schemes for our workforce,” he said.
Lee said Johor would also focus and emphasise on specific skills by upskilling and reskilling undertaken by the industries to further enhance workers’ competency.
“The move will produce high-skilled and knowledgeable workers probably within three to five years, which will in return, help them to earn high wages,” he said.
