Pandian yearns for decent council job

Despite applying on more than 20 occasions, the odd-job worker is upset with MPSP for not considering him.

BUTTERWORTH: An upset odd-job worker today appealed to the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) to provide him a labourer’s job so that he can earn a steady monthly income.

A Pandian, 44, from Bukit Minyak, said he has tried applying for a council job on more than 20 occasions, but to no avail. “I was never ever called up even for an interview,” he told FMT.

Pandian currently earns between RM500 and RM800 per month working in the construction industry. He yearns for a decent livelihood.

Yesterday, he tried to attend an open interview conducted by MPSP to employ workers to fill up 1,000 vacancies.

As usual, he wanted to apply for an unskilled job such as cleaner and garbage collector. However, he was turned away at the MPSP doorstep even before attending an interview.

The reason was that he did not possess a valid school leaving certificate to prove his claims that he had studied until standard four in SRK Khir Johari in Prai.

“Why do we need the certificate to secure an unskilled work? Foreigners are hired for these jobs. Why can’t the council hire us? If the government turns us down, who else would give jobs to us?” asked Pandian, a bachelor.

He added that it was the state’s social responsibility to provide job opportunities for its citizens.

When contacted, however, DAP councillor Soon Lip Chee said the minimum requirement for the lowest level Grade R1 job on offer was a UPSR certificate.

“Applicants were turned down when they could not fulfil the basic requirement,” he told FMT. He dismissed claims that MPSP hired foreigners at the expense of locals.

“I wish to stress MPSP had never hired foreigners… priority has always been local residents,” he said.

MPSP conducted a marathon interview session from 9am until midnight yesterday to consider some 5,000 locals for the labourers jobs.