Hung out to dry, ex-Welfare Department contract workers seek help

 

Personal MyStep contract workers at Selangor’s Welfare Department (JKM) have expressed their disappointment after no action plan or assistance were provided by the government at the end of their tenure.

They said it was unfair for contract workers to be hired when their services are needed, but later let go without any further assistance.

A former Personal MyStep JKM contract worker, who wished to be known as Azri, said the government and minister in charge should be more aware of the people’s welfare.

“We worked for three months from April 15 until June 30 this year.

“We understand the meaning of ‘on contract’ but in the current pandemic, times are very hard so the minister and government should take responsibility to help the people who worked for them,” Azri told Malaysiakini yesterday.

Azri, who has four children, said the latest round of MCO 3.0 has made it even more difficult for him to find a new job.

“I have tried applying to many places including as a MyVac volunteer but I was rejected because it was full,” he said.

Malaysiakini has contacted the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry for comments.

Personal MySTEP is a government initiative for short-term employment introduced under Budget 2021.

Meanwhile, Azri said he was informed in May that contracts of Personal MySTEP workers may be extended until the end of this year.

“But on June 12, we were informed our contracts will not be extended when a friend of mine inquired to the officers in our WhatsApp group.

“They said our contracts will not be extended without further explanations, and so we were shocked [...],” he said.

“Why can’t the department inform us earlier so that we can make preparations to find a new job or other alternatives at a time when most people are having difficulties finding a job,” he added.

Another former Personal MySTEP worker, who gave her name as Marina, said she felt slighted as she has friends in other states whose contracts were extended until the end of the year.

“But in my place, when I asked JKM officers in Selangor about the likelihood of our contracts being extended, they said it was quite unlikely due to budget constraints.

“Also because of the extended MCO, we were not allowed to go to the office, as even the number of full time staff is limited. So they don’t see the need to extend our contract,” she said.

Rahman (not his real name), a third former contract worker, said he faced emotional distress exacerbated by the enhanced MCO enforced in most parts of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur that prevented him from finding a new job.

With no income, Rahman said he was forced to borrow from a friend to support his child and mother, as well as finding a new job, while waiting for his last salary from Personal MyStep.

“I hope in this critical time, when we are let go, there will be some assistance for us to continue our lives,” he said.

All three of them said they have contacted Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun, to no response. - Mkini

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