Persatuan Kontraktor Bumiputera Kelas F Malaysia president Tukiman Radion said locals need to be convinced to choose a career in construction instead of taking other routes such as participating in online businesses, despatch services or e-hailing.
Tukiman proposed an incentive whereby the government would pay an additional 20% of workers’ salaries to increase their wages.
“If there is such an initiative (by the government) to give additional benefits to locals who wish to work in construction, they can then earn a little more and maybe more will be interested in working as a construction worker,” he told FMT.
Tukiman was commenting on deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi saying that the government aims to fully localise the construction workforce to maintain sector quality.
Zahid said the initiative was expected to boost the economy and mitigate the adverse effects of relying on foreign labour.
Tukiman said an unskilled local construction labourer could make around RM100 per day, whereas a foreigner would earn about RM80. A skilled foreign worker, on the other hand, could be paid around RM120 to RM150 daily.
“I have called on my unemployed friends to consider working in construction. I told them that it’s not that bad, perhaps they may begin with painting, but they are simply not interested,” he said.
Tukiman said the government would need to play a proactive role by handing out incentives, opportunities and benefits, as locals are selective about their jobs.
“Foreign labourers are willing to do any type of work, but locals are not.
“They (locals) are more inclined to work in e-hailing or despatch services. There are those who prefer not to work at all, and some who are doing online business. This is what the locals choose.”
Che Wan Khalid, the owner of a contractor company, said that workers’ welfare must be prioritised.
“Don’t delay paying salaries. These people have dependents, children, wives, and parents to take care of. Contributions to EPF and the Social Security Organisation must also be made,” he said.
“We cannot discriminate (between foreign and local labourers). We are using their hard labour, so they should be treated equally.”
Che Wan also said that while Zahid’s suggestion could be implemented, local labourers should be given training.
“Then it’s up to them if they want to learn or not,” he said.