MIC Wants To Assist Indians Find Jobs. About Time Too!

The MIC is planning to set up an employment unit within one of its social arms to help Indians find jobs, party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Sunday. The Works Minister said he had asked the party's Social Entrepreneur Network (SeNet), a group of volunteers made up of Indian professionals, to study formation of the unit which would be called SeNet Employment Network.

"We want to help the Indians, especially the young graduates to secure jobs and the unit will focus in disseminating information about job opportunities in the private and public sectors," he said. However, Samy Vellu emphasised that the unit should not be seen as an employment agency that guaranteed jobs. "It will gather information and assist Indians through job fairs and the SeNet website," he said.

Samy Vellu said SeNet could liaise with Government agencies and the private sector to find out job opportunities. He said he was concerned over the increasing number of unemployed graduates among Malaysians but expressed confidence that the situation was not the same with professional degree holders.

He cited the Ninth Malaysia Plan where the Indian community saw a rise in the registration of eight professions namely accountants, architects, doctors, dentists, veterinary surgeons, engineers, surveyors and lawyers from 9,909 in 2000 to 11,556 in 2004, an increase of 1,647 professionals. He, however, said in terms of overall percentage, the Indians community dropped from 12 per cent in 2000 to 10.6 per cent in 2004.

Samy Vellu said the MIC through its various social organisations and with the help of Indian-based non-governmental organisations had embarked on a systematic campaign to increase the number of Indians in all sectors through the dissemination of information on the opportunities available and also monitoring job applications.

"The MIC is working closely with the relevant government departments and agencies, including government-linked companies (GLCs) to ensure more qualified Indians are offered jobs," he added. -- BERNAMA

***** As far as I know and according to the information from friends, the rise in the registration of professionals is due largely to the dwindling Indian middle-class and their last gasp effort to 'keep up' in an environment hostile to Indians. Both the public and private sectors have become no-go-zones for them and the discrimination they face both officially and unofficially is a shameful reflection of this country's racial intolerance. Only as essentially self-employed professionals or in willing partnerships can they survive and thrive.

If many Indians in the past made it to the professions, it was not because of, but despite the government and the MIC. Conscientious parents scrimped, saved and borrowed to send their kids, especially to India and some western nations for their professional studies when they found the avenues locally blocked for racial reasons.

If even at this eleventh and a half hour the MIC should do something, anything, other than make proud claims, at least a few of their people can be helped to be suitably employed.
Picture Source.