SEREMBAN, 02 July 2024

Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) aims to reduce the sector’s dependence on foreign labour to 25% over the next five years.

Speaking in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, SWCorp chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Husaini Abdul Rahman said there were currently 27,345 sanitation workers in the state, of which 32.58% were foreign workers.

“That figure is quite high, which is why we have programmes to increase local interest in 3D (difficult, dangerous, dirty) jobs, especially in solid waste management and public cleansing.

“We are also collaborating with the Skills Development Department to offer level three certification programmes in this field.

“Recently, over 400 individuals received this certification, which can lead to higher wages,” he said.

SWCorp also planned to extend the programme to community colleges, he said after its 2024 Sanitation Workers’ Day Appreciation ceremony which was attended by SWM Environment corporate general manager Mohd Norlisam Mohd Nordin

Ahmad Husaini said SWCorp had also teamed up with concession companies and other agencies including the Prison Department for the “Behind Bars Programme”, as reported by Bernama.

Via this collaboration, selected inmates are trained to work in the sanitation sector, thereby increasing the number of local workers.

Ahmad Husaini added that society needed to better appreciate the contributions of sanitation workers to motivate them towards excellent service.

He added that all Malaysians needed to play a crucial role in maintaining cleanliness as this was not solely the responsibility of concession companies or government bodies.

“People need to be smarter in managing waste, starting with solid waste separation and practising the basic act of throwing rubbish into bins.”

Earlier, 32 Negri Sembilan sanitation workers including three SWM employees received Excellent Worker awards.

Ahmad Husaini said it was in recognition of their hard work.

Rohani Hamzah, who has worked at SWM Environment’s Kuala Pilah branch for 23 years, said the award, which she received for the first time, was a morale booster.

With this job, I am able to raise my children and fund their higher education.

“I hope my colleagues will also commit wholeheartedly to this work,” said the mother of five.