SHAH ALAM, April 14 — Efforts to harness prison inmates as a productive workforce are a strategic approach to strengthening Selangor's economic development.
State executive councillor for human resources and poverty eradication Papparaidu Veraman said the initiative also provides a second chance for the group to rebuild their lives after release.
His recent visit to the Kajang Prison offered a clear picture of the significant potential among inmates, who can be guided and developed into a skilled workforce.
As an initial step, 10 companies were brought in to conduct interview sessions with the inmates.
“This approach not only gives them renewed hope, but also helps industries secure trained and job-ready local workers,” Papparaidu said in a Facebook post yesterday.
He also expressed appreciation to KDEB Waste Management for its support in providing skills training to prison inmates.
The training includes opportunities to obtain licences and exposure to operating refuse-collection lorries, thereby opening up involvement in the waste management sector.
The councillor also hopes that the government would consider channelling this workforce into the 3D (dirty, dangerous, and difficult) sectors.
Among the sectors identified are manufacturing, production, construction, agriculture and plantations, all of which require skilled labour.
“The plantation sector, in particular, has strong potential to place them as trained and competitive estate workers,” Papparaidu said.
The initiative is also a way to reduce reliance on foreign labour while creating more job opportunities for local workers.
“It is time we give them a second chance, while strengthening the economy through the participation of the local workforce,” he said.
