SOCSO's Job-matching Initiative Helps Over 4,000 Prospects Reintegrate Into Society Since 2020

NIBONG TEBAL, July 10 (Bernama) -- A total of 4,105 individuals who completed their sentences and successfully underwent rehabilitation from 2020 to July 9  this year have returned to the workforce through the career matching initiative implemented by the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO).

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the five main sectors with the highest recruitment to support the group’s reintegration into society were manufacturing, construction, agriculture, food services, and wholesale and retail trade.

He said efforts to empower vulnerable groups, including prospects or former prisoners, through the provision of job opportunities were in line with the goal of reducing the country's dependence on foreign labour.

“Based on the 2024 statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), total employment in the country stood at 16.78 million, with more than 2.3 million, or 13.7 per cent, comprising foreign workers.

“This reflects the urgent need to utilise the local workforce in a more inclusive and comprehensive manner, including recognising the potential of ex-convicts as contributors to societal and economic productivity,” he told reporters after officiating the MYFutureJobs Career and Entrepreneurship Carnival at the Seberang Perai Prison Complex here today.

Sim said the carnival, held on a large scale for the second time, was the result of strategic cooperation and synergy between the Human Resources Ministry through SOCSO and the Home Ministry via the Malaysian Prisons Department.

He said the first edition was held in the central zone at Kajang Prison in 2024, with the participation of 350 prospects, while this year’s synergy career carnival with the Prisons Department involved 600 prospects, comprising 550 men and 50 women from the northern zone, which covers Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis.

Sim added that this year’s event involved 20 employers offering 1,080 job vacancies, along with the participation of nine public and private agencies providing assistance and entrepreneurship programmes for prospects.

He also shared the success of the Daya Kerjaya programme since its introduction in 2020, which saw 549 employers provide job placements to 2,604 prospects, with over RM12 million in incentive funds distributed.

Sim further said the Active Labour Market Stimulus Policy, which provides an incentive of RM600 per month for three months to employers who hire prospects, demonstrated the government’s commitment to recognising local talent and supporting the group’s reintegration into society.

Earlier, SOCSO signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with six key industry associations, namely the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), the Federation of Malaysian Business Associations (FMBA), the Malaysian Retailers Association (MRA), the Budget and Business Hotels Association of Malaysia (MyBHA), the Federation of Malaysian Motor and Credit Companies Associations (FMCCAM), and Balai Ikthisas Malaysia (BIM).

Sim described the MoU as a step towards opening up more job opportunities for former prisoners who have undergone rehabilitation and training, thereby helping them rebuild their lives with dignity.

Also present at the event were Commissioner-General of Prisons Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak; SOCSO Board Chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal; and SOCSO Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.

-- BERNAMA