Latest news with #OBB
Barnama
5 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
N.Sembilan Employers Urged To Hire Local Workers, Including Prison Inmates
SEREMBAN, May 29 (Bernama) -- Employers in Negeri Sembilan are encouraged to hire local workers from various available sources, including prison inmates and parolees, as an alternative to reduce reliance on foreign labour. State Entrepreneur Development, Human Resources, Climate Change, Cooperatives and Consumerism Committee chairman S. Veerapan said the initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Malaysian Prisons Department through the recruitment of supervised persons (ODS), paroled persons (ODP) and licenced released persons (OBB). 'As of this year, a total of 549 local workers from prison rehabilitation programmes have been placed with 76 employers, particularly in the manufacturing sector, to undergo career training. 'Of that number, nine companies have hired 368 ODS inmates, 54 companies have employed 135 OBB, and 13 companies have taken in 46 ODP. We hope this number will continue to increase,' he told reporters after launching the Labour Seminar – Tripartite Collaboration Between Employers, Workers and Government Agencies to Strengthen a Sustainable Economy in Negeri Sembilan here today. Also present were Negeri Sembilan Labour Department director Roslan Bahari, State Prisons director Ahmad Mustaqim Che Bisi, and Negeri Sembilan HRD Corp branch manager Mohd Khairul Nizam Supaat. Veerapan said all inmates involved in the programme will remain under the supervision of prison authorities until they complete their sentence and may then be absorbed as permanent employees. He added that employers participating in the programme are eligible for incentives under the government's Subsidi Daya Kerjaya, which provides a grant of RM300 for each inmate employed. On the seminar, Veerapan said it serves to strengthen cooperation between employers, employees and government agencies, the key pillars of the labour ecosystem, and supports efforts to boost the state's economy. 'The concept of tripartism refers to collaboration between employers, workers and the government to ensure a stable labour market, enhance productivity, and safeguard the rights and welfare of both parties,' he said.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
N. Sembilan employers urged to hire local workers.
SEREMBAN: Employers in Negeri Sembilan are encouraged to hire local workers from various available sources, including prison inmates and parolees, as an alternative to reduce reliance on foreign labour. State Entrepreneur Development, Human Resources, Climate Change, Cooperatives and Consumerism Committee chairman S. Veerapan said the initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Malaysian Prisons Department through the recruitment of supervised persons (ODS), paroled persons (ODP) and licenced released persons (OBB). 'As of this year, a total of 549 local workers from prison rehabilitation programmes have been placed with 76 employers, particularly in the manufacturing sector, to undergo career training. 'Of that number, nine companies have hired 368 ODS inmates, 54 companies have employed 135 OBB, and 13 companies have taken in 46 ODP. We hope this number will continue to increase,' he told reporters after launching the Labour Seminar – Tripartite Collaboration Between Employers, Workers and Government Agencies to Strengthen a Sustainable Economy in Negeri Sembilan here today. Also present were Negeri Sembilan Labour Department director Roslan Bahari, State Prisons director Ahmad Mustaqim Che Bisi, and Negeri Sembilan HRD Corp branch manager Mohd Khairul Nizam Supaat. Veerapan said all inmates involved in the programme will remain under the supervision of prison authorities until they complete their sentence and may then be absorbed as permanent employees. He added that employers participating in the programme are eligible for incentives under the government's Subsidi Daya Kerjaya, which provides a grant of RM300 for each inmate employed. On the seminar, Veerapan said it serves to strengthen cooperation between employers, employees and government agencies, the key pillars of the labour ecosystem, and supports efforts to boost the state's economy. 'The concept of tripartism refers to collaboration between employers, workers and the government to ensure a stable labour market, enhance productivity, and safeguard the rights and welfare of both parties,' he said. Meanwhile, Roslan revealed that a case involving forced labour had been detected in the Seremban area and investigations are currently ongoing.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Tourism players urged to hire parolees
JERTIH: Employers in the tourism and hospitality sectors on Terengganu's resort islands are encouraged to hire inmates out on parole. Terengganu Prisons director Mohd Nasir Yusof ( pic ) said employers in various sectors have the opportunity to hire inmates categorised as parolees (ODP) and persons released on licence (OBB) through the Corporate Smart Internship for Parolees (CSI Parol) programme. 'A total of 720 inmates have participated in the CSI programme in the state, and of that number, about 500 individuals have been employed across various sectors. 'So far, 32 inmates are employed by three different employers on Redang Island, while five inmates are working for a single employer on Perhentian Island,' he told reporters after opening the Community, OBB and employers' awareness programme on Perhentian Island yesterday, Bernama reported. Mohd Nasir said that employers and inmates could benefit from the programme. 'The inmates involved are those nearing release and have undergone thorough screening. 'They are also continuously monitored during their employment. 'Tourism sector employers have given us very positive feedback about the working inmates, highlighting their good treatment of customers and zero criminal misconduct,' he added.
Barnama
25-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Hospitality, Tourism Sectors Encouraged To Employ Parolees
JERTIH, May 25 (Bernama) -- Employers in the tourism and hospitality sectors on Terengganu's resort islands are encouraged to hire inmates out on parole. Terengganu Prisons director Mohd Nasir Yusof said employers in various sectors have the opportunity to hire inmates categorised as parolees (ODP) and persons released on licence (OBB) through the Corporate Smart Internship for Parolees (CSI Parol) programme. This initiative aims to provide employment opportunities in different fields. 'A total of 720 inmates have participated in the CSI programme in the state, and of that number, about 500 individuals have been employed across various sectors. So far, 32 inmates are employed by three different employers on Redang Island, while five inmates are working for a single employer on Perhentian Island, he told reporters after opening the Community, OBB and Employers' awareness programme on Perhentian Island, near here, today. Mohd Nasir said the department aims for at least five employers in the sector to hire parolees this year. He added that employers and inmates can benefit from the programme. 'The inmates involved are those nearing release and have undergone thorough screening. They are also continuously monitored during their employment with the employer. 'The feedback we have received from tourism sector employers about the working inmates has been very positive, such as their good treatment of customers and zero criminal misconduct. In some cases, inmates who were fully released from prison were immediately offered permanent employment by the same employer. 'This programme also aims to educate the public, especially employers, to give these individuals a second chance to rebuild their lives, regain their self-confidence, and contribute positively to society,' he said.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Overseas-Based Student Loan Borrowers' Repayment Increases
Press Release – Inland Revenue At the end of April this year there were 113,733 people with student loans who Inland Revenue believes were based overseas. For around 24,000 OBB the debt is more than 15 years old. Inland Revenue has collected more than $207 million in repayments since July last year from student loan borrowers living overseas – a 43% increase on the same period the previous year. Much of this success can be attributed to an increase in Student Loan Compliance funding in last year's budget. As a result of the work we've been doing we're also starting to see a more positive attitude by new borrowers, most who are meeting their payment obligations. The statistics At the end of April this year there were 113,733 people with student loans who Inland Revenue believes were based overseas. Of this group of overseas-based borrowers (OBB), 71% are in default owing $2.3b (just over $1b is penalties and interest). For around 24,000 OBB the debt is more than 15 years old. They aren't registered for myIR and have no repayment plan in place. The outstanding repayments total $1.3b with penalties of $696m. Progress Inland Revenue's Jane Elley says there's been a focus on OBB who own property in New Zealand, borrowers who return to New Zealand regularly and those who have defaulted on an instalment arrangement. 'We've contacted more than 12,000 borrowers. 1,320 have entered repayment plans, and 960 people have fully repaid their overdue amounts. They have collectively repaid $9 million', Jane Elley says. '304 OBB own property here and during the first six months of our increased compliance work they paid up $1.7 million. For defaulters within this group who have refused to engage and resolve their default, further legal enforcement action will be taken which may include NZ based bankruptcy or charging orders over their properties. 'There were also 151 OBB with NZ-based investments, and between July and December last year we received payments totalling $84,000 from some of them. Again, there could be legal action ahead including taking deductions from their investments or bank accounts receiving interest income.' Arrests at the border Arrests at the border for unpaid student loan debt is a measure of last resort, but we do use it. Jane Elley says Inland Revenue can apply to the New Zealand courts for a warrant to arrest persistent overseas-based borrowers who knowingly default on their repayment obligations. 'New Zealand Customs informs us of any border crossings into New Zealand by OBB and airlines provide the travel information to us. We apply to the District Court and the police make the actual arrest. 'Once arrested and taken before the courts, a judge can order the defaulter to make reasonable efforts to arrange repayment to Inland Revenue.' Since July 1, 2024, we have told 89 defaulters they could be arrested at the border. As a result, 11 have taken action to avoid arrest by either making acceptable payments, entering repayment plans, or applying for hardship provisions. One person was arrested at the border last month and they have since paid off their debt. There are just over 150 overseas based borrowers, with a combined default of $15m, who we actively look out for in case they return to New Zealand.
