Parolees and ex-convicts should not be seen as a temporary stand-ins for foreign workers

SHAH ALAM - Once employed, parolees and ex-convicts should not be seen as a temporary stand-ins for foreign workers, says an expert.

Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) President Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said parolees and ex-convicts should be considered as an additional labour source.

He also urged the government, employers and trade unions to look at parolees and ex-convicts from the broader labour market perspectives.

"Giving more employment opportunities to ex-convicts is one of the ways to address the current manpower shortage.

"Nearly 42,000 parolees and ex-convicts have been gainfully employed since 2008 with 98 percent success rate," he said.

Syed Hussain also said that employing the parolees and ex-convicts can prevent them from falling into the criminal activities.

"Giving employment to paroled prisoners and ex-convicts will also assist in rehabilitating and reintegrating them into the society and prevent them from relapsing into criminal activities," he said.

Syed Hussain also advised employers to not worry on the safety and other employees by hiring the parolees as large parolees are only granted for minor offenders and to those who deserve a second chance.

"Employers may also wish to look at the nature of the crime committed by ex convicts before deciding to employ them.

"However more often than not, social stigma attached to ex-convicts prevent them to get proper jobs and lead a life of dignity after serving their sentences," he said.

It was reported that Human Resources Ministry is aiming for 15,000 ex-prisioners and Henry Gurney school inmates and convicts due for release to be given employment this year.

Human Resource Minister V Sivakumar said there were currently 77,000 prisioners who could become productive workers and be hired upon their release, saying that this would reduce the country's dependence on foreign workers.