Better to have 3D job than no job - PM to jobless M'sians
Unemployed Malaysians should take up 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult) jobs rather than staying jobless, says Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
At a press conference after a Labour Day event today, the prime minister stressed that earning a low income is preferable to getting nothing at all...
Unemployed Malaysians should take up 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult) jobs rather than staying jobless, says Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
At a press conference after a Labour Day event today, the prime minister stressed that earning a low income is preferable to getting nothing at all.
"(Although) the pay is low, but if they do not work, there won't be any pay at all. So (they) have to choose.
"At least if they work, they will earn something," he told reporters at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
Mahathir was responding to a question on low wages for 3D jobs making it unattractive to Malaysians.
Earlier in his speech, Mahathir said that migrant workers were taking up 3D jobs because Malaysians won't do them.
He said that the government is aware of concerns over migrant labour, and that steps have been taken to ensure that only jobs seemingly unfavoured by locals are given to foreigners.
Read more: The workers that keep Malaysia ticking
"If they (jobless Malaysians) do not do this (3D) work, then other people will do them. Then our money will flow out," he pointed out.
"We cannot compel (employers to give higher pay). But we must remember that we work for our country, to develop our country.
"If we do not want to do these jobs, then our money will flow out to other people. Then we will lose."
Currently, 3D jobs in various industries are often undertaken by migrant workers, primarily from poorer Asian countries.
