BOSSES are receptive to the idea of replacing foreign workers with former convicts, but are wary of potential issues that may arise.

They noted that these ex-inmates may not be suitable for some sectors and may not want to work in tough sectors like agriculture, where work is long and the inclement weather may not be to their liking.

The former prisoners will help fill some vacancies, they said, but as a permanent solution, it falls short.

SME Association of Malaysia secretary-general Chin Chee Seong said the idea was good as it would give former prisoners work, integrate them back to the society and keep them out of trouble.

“But the government needs to provide sufficient professional training so that they can completely improve, including their work attitude,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said as an employer, he would inevitably worry about whether former prisoners on his work force were truly reformed.

“Some kind of guarantee must be in place. The authorities must provide the right training to help the former inmates rejoin society and the workforce. I believe employers will definitely welcome this suggestion, to help fill some vacancies for foreign workers,” he said.

He believes it will be difficult to overcome the current foreign worker shortage in the country, but the inmates can, to some degree, fill the need.

Federation of Vegetable Farmers Associations president Lim Ser Kwee believes that hiring former prisoners to reduce employers’ reliance on foreign workers was a good thing.

“They can make a little more money, and at the same time some industries can hire fewer foreign workers, killing two birds with one stone.”

However, he had reservations about bringing them into the agriculture sector as it was tough work – they have to work in inclement weather and the hours are long.

Restaurant and bistro owners’ association vice-president Jeremy Lim, who is also the deputy chairman of the Malaysian Restaurants and Entertainment Association, said there should be no problem in bringing the former inmates into the hospitality sector.

He said the former prisoners have been punished and they deserved a second chance.

“But their numbers will not be enough to replace employers’ demand for foreign workers.

“There are more than two million foreign workers in our country. The government should not use former prisoners to replace foreign workers.

“Instead, it should let them (former prisoners and foreign workers) work together to effectively solve the problem of manpower shortage,” he said.

According to data from the Human Resources Ministry, as of September 30, there are an estimated 2.7 million workers in the country.

This included 1.83 million active temporary work pass holders, 152,158 foreign workers who have been given permits to work here but have not yet entered the country, and 747,167 illegal foreign workers registered under the Relocation of Foreign Workers Scheme 2.0.

Jeremy Lim also said some former prisoners may have certain professional skills, such as in engineering, construction work, and Putrajaya should help them return to those fields.

“These are skills. It is impossible to ask them to serve meals or wash dishes after serving their sentences. It is somewhat unreasonable.”

While agreeing with the idea of allowing these former prisoners to return to work in society, he hopes the government will encourage employers to hire them on a voluntary basis rather than imposing it on them.

On October 31, Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar said former prisoners, especially those who have served light sentences, are still productive and should be allowed to work in sectors facing shortage.

“We can use them (former prisoners) to replace foreign workers. My ministry has taken many initiatives and provided a lot of training.

“Many (former prisoners) have been given job opportunities. Prisoners have also been trained, and when they receive training and are released from prison, they have been placed in the work force.” – November 10, 2023.