LETTER | Budget 2021 is people-centric as the government has taken into consideration that the pandemic has disrupted lives and livelihoods, giving rise to a potential increase in crime as people struggle to cope.
As such, Budget 2021 complements the four initiatives of Prihatin, Prihatin SME+, Penjana and Kita Prihatin to resuscitate the economy.
Budget 2021 lays out several social safety-net initiatives to help those economically affected by the pandemic, especially the B40 group by empowering the digital and gig economies.
Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and snatcH theft (Marah) lauds the RM21 million allocation to build shelters for victims of domestic violence. This is indeed necessary.
Secondly, the incentives to hire locals, the elderly, OKU, ex-prisoners, and recovering drug addicts are likewise very positive steps in moving forward. Budget 2021 is creating new employment opportunities for job seekers and encouraging the private sector and GLCs to do likewise.
Employers are now offered a 20 percent incentive to encourage job opportunities for OKUs, terminated workers, single mothers and those long-term unemployed.
Industries that have relied heavily on foreign workers, especially construction and plantation, are now offeree an incentive of 60 percent of the monthly salary, with 40 percent direct to employers and 20 percent to the local worker that replace the foreign worker.
Another piece of good news is the allocation of RM2 billion to continue the Penjana Kerjaya programme under Socso, which is expected to help 250,000 job-seekers.
For workers hired under Penjana Kerjaya, the maximum cost of the training that can be claimed by employers is raised from RM4,000 to RM7, 000. Therefore, these employees can now undergo a high-skills or professional certificate programme.
Additionally, if you employ an elderly person, an ex-prisoner or an ex-drug addict, you are given additional tax reductions.
Another long-awaited piece of good news is that RM20 million is allocated for ex-prisoners to gain vocational training, with a National Employment Council acting to create more jobs and increase the skills and training of workers.
Called MyStep, the short-term employment programme has an allocation of RM700 million, offering 50,000 contract-based jobs.
Finally, an allocation of RM3.7 billion goes to JanaKerja to create jobs and improve skills.
Overall, Marah is happy with Budget 2021. What we feel is lacking is upgrading the housing, salaries and equipment of the rank and file of the defence and PDRM officers who are the crucial touchpoint with the public.
DAVE AVRAN is the founder of Marah.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
