Jobs don't drop from the sky #7

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Our youth unemployment rate has been rising every year in the past 5 years, from 11% in 2016 to 11.72% last year.

Are jobs being produced as fast as our youths grow up?

Without jobs, what's our youths' future? Without jobs, how to start a family? Without jobs, how to care for aging parents?

These are the questions that Hafiz discussed with me.

Hafiz is a graduate with a degree in finance. Most of his cohorts have left Penang to work in KL.

"Kawan-kawan struggle cari kerja di Penang, dan memang banyak yang pi KL," he said.

Although Hafiz wanted to join them, he as the eldest among his siblings had stay back to care for the family.

Unable to get a suitable permanent job, Hafiz ended up as a contract worker for several years.

When the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) had job openings, Hafiz applied and got his first stable permanent job.

After working for 10 months, Hafiz has saved enough to get married. He and his wife are expecting their first child now.

Just before Raya this year, Hafiz bought a car in preparation for the arrival of the baby.

Hafiz can now provide for his parents, relieve the burden of his father who is a lorry driver, and help to finance his sister's nursing course.

Groups like Penang Forum and Sahabat Alam Malaysia are lobbying to cancel PSR, and by doing so threatening the livelihood of young people like Hafiz's.

"Kalau PSR cancel, saya akan susah dapat pekerjaan. Tambah lagi situasi pandemik sekarang, akan hadapi masalah," said Hafiz.

These anti-PSR NGOs are selfish and cruel.

They don't have practical solution to solve youth unemployment problem, yet they are lobbying to kill off projects that provide jobs to our youths.

Note: This 'Jobs don't drop from the sky' series uncovers real life stories of how actual Penangites from all walks of life are benefiting from the Penang South Reclamation project.

#1 : Abang Sam (former fisherman)

#2 : Pakcik Ismail & Mat (former fishermen)

#3 : Nina (young graduate with a degree in agricultural science)

#4 : Razali (fisherman)

#5 : Idris & Adam (fishermen)

#6 : Jan (young graduate with a degree in quantity surveying)

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