PETALING JAYA: On the one hand, there are companies desperate for workers; and on the other, people happy to prove they are hard workers who want to turn their lives around.
It seems a match made in heaven – plugging the labour shortage while leaving a path for former inmates to get back into society.
Many companies are on board with idea, saying that their previous experience working with former inmates has been positive and that this could help reduce the dependency on foreign workers in the long run.
SME Association of Malaysia national president Ding Hong Sing is all for hiring former inmates.
“They can be easily trained as they converse in the same languages we do.
“In my personal experience, they are well mannered, able to pick up skills rather quickly and do their work promptly.
“Even if they go on leave, it would just be several days or a week at most as their hometowns are all within the country, unlike foreign workers who may be away for a month,” he said.
He added that hiring former inmates also gives these people a second chance, allowing them to support themselves and their loved ones.
In fact, Ding suggests that the authorities consider allowing parolees to serve longer job stints before release.
“Two to three months (prior to release) is not long enough as the training process can take up to a month.
“One year would be a reasonable time frame as it allows the parolees to get a leg up in life while also tackling the worker shortage, thus leading to higher productivity from a business perspective.
“Increased productivity also helps boost our national economy,” he said, adding that any engagement with the Prisons Department on this would be welcome.
National Society of Skilled Workers secretary-general Mohammad Rizan Hassan said employers should be committed to opening job opportunities to former inmates to fill the existing shortage.
“It’s one of the best and most effective ways to help them reintegrate into society. Employing these people also gives them a second chance and dispels the negative stigma that the community has towards former inmates,” he said.
Mohammad Rizan also noted how prisons produced various goods such as food, furniture, clothing and even agricultural products – all made by inmates.
“This is even more reason for these people to be employed for their skills. It also opens up a new avenue for inmates upon their release,” he added.
Former inmates, he said, experienced many challenges upon release, and were often sidelined and frowned upon by society.
“From not having a place to stay to being shunned for job openings, it is as if the punishment of these individuals continues despite having already served their sentences for their offences.
“For some, this can demotivate them even further, which could lead to a relapse,” he said, adding that industry players could play a role in ensuring former inmates can start a new life.
He said Projek Belia Mahir (Peluang Kedua), an initiative under the National Society of Skilled Workers, also actively works with former inmates, juvenile detainees, parolees and those undergoing drug rehabilitation to help them get jobs.
“It is important to uplift them (after their release from prison). Employers also have the opportunity to contribute towards the nation’s economy by hiring former inmates as a source of their workforce,” he said.
Mohammad Rizan said doing so also allowed former inmates to get stable jobs and have a brighter future.
National Association of Human Resources Malaysia president Zarina Ismail concurred that employing former inmates could be one way to ease the current foreign worker shortage.
“Incentives such as tax exemptions should encourage prospective employers to hire former inmates.
“The stigma has to be removed. Moral support and motivation should be given as it can help rebuild their self-confidence as well,” she said.
