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By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, June 13: Skilled local workers are encouraged to work in the construction of the Baleh hydroelectric power dam.
Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala emphasised, that locals are no less skilled and knowledgeable than foreigners.
“I believe that our education and skills-training institutions have produced a skilled and knowledgeable workforce. We want to give our local people the opportunity to experience the work themselves, and I am sure that they will be able to master the skills in a very short period of time,” Gerawat said today in Kapit at the launching of the MyFutureJobs carnival.
The carnival, hosted by Sarawak Social Security Organization (Socso) and Sarawak Department of Labour (JTK) aims to provide opportunities for locals, especially from Kapit District to work at the Baleh Dam construction site.
Gerawat said, on the first day of the carnival held yesterday, a total of 40 job seekers from Kapit attended the interview session.
“Out of that number, 25 were successfully interviewed, while three others were eligible for the second time interview,” he added.
“Recently, rumours were spread on social media claiming that the Baleh Dam construction project had an influx of foreign workers and at the same time, it was affecting job opportunities for locals….following that, JTK with Sarawak Socso took the initiative to invite employers and contractors involved in the Baleh Dam construction project to hold a special interview session to open job opportunities for locals at the site,” Gerawat disclosed.
“We must rely less on foreign workers and should prioritize to our local workforce,” he pointed out.
The Baleh hydroelectric power dan project which is being built on the Baleh River will be able to generate 1,285MW once completed.
Construction on the dam started in 2018 with commissioning scheduled by 2026.
Also present during the MyFutureJobs carnival were Sarawak JTK director Awang Raduan Awang Omar, Sarawak Socso senior assistant director Farinah Japar, Kapit District Resident Galong Luang, and Bukit Mabong District Officer Calvin Ligong. — DayakDaily
