THE Human Resources Ministry, in collaboration with the Prisons Department, is aiming for 15,000 ex-prisoners and Henry Gurney school inmates and convicts due for release soon to be given jobs this year.

Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar said there are currently 77,000 prisoners who can become productive workers and be hired upon their release, thus reducing the country’s dependence on foreign workers.

“We are too dependent on foreign workers. It is a loss if we do not take advantage of manpower available in the country,” he said.

“In this regard, I urge more employers to come forward to give this group a second chance to start a new life after serving their sentence.”

Sivakumar said this at a press conference after the signing of a note of collaboration between the Social Security Organisation and Prisons Department at Wisma Perkeso in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said from 2021 until last month, 588 prisoners, ex-prisoners and inmates of Henry Gurney School had received job offers through initiatives such as the free inmates licence placement programme and Re-Entry@MyFutureJobs programme.

“The number comprised 409 ex-prisoners, 44 parolees and persons under supervision while the rest involved inmates of Henry Gurney School,” he added. – Bernama, April 6, 2023.