FORMER human resources minister M. Kula Segaran today criticised a statement by a senior minister that pushed for automation to mitigate effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kula Segaran, who is Ipoh Barat MP, said Saturday’s statement made by International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali that employers should rely less on the labour force when reopening their businesses is “inconsiderate considering what employees are going through at the moment”.

“Yes, automation is inevitable. But should it come at the expense of our employees and at a time when unemployment is growing at an alarming rate?”

Kula Segaran, who is also DAP national vice-chairman, added that Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has estimated that unemployment could reach up to two million this year, or an unemployment rate of 13%.

“Every day we see news reports of businesses shutting down as they are unable to cope as a result of the coronavirus aftermath. Is this the time for Azmin to say that we need to rely less on the labour force?

“Why did he not also list what the unemployed should do to find jobs rather than just talk about automation?”

He said the country must not only prepare for artificial intelligence (AI) and automation but workers should also be trained for jobs that are partially or cannot be automated.

“What is the government’s long-term plan for the labour force to take up new and future jobs?

“This workforce needs to be skilled, re-skilled, up-skilled and cross-skilled to prepare for widespread automation. Has Azmin thought about this?”

Kula Segaran said while Azmin spoke of digital platforms being crucial, he does not provide plans to regulate the gig economy and protect workers.

“Why has Azmin not spoken about the social safety net for workers in the gig economy? What is his advice to those who have recently lost their jobs?

“What are the government’s plans for those that will be losing their jobs due to automation?”

 Over the weekend, Azmin said the business community needed to adapt to the “new normal” and rely less on the labour force when reopening in the coming weeks.

“Digitisation is not a choice now but a need to ensure continuity of businesses for a long period. Companies need to speed up their digitalisation process in reducing human contact,” he said in a statement. – May 5, 2020.