Mixed response from employers

The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry secretary-general Datuk Low wKian Chuan on Jan 22, 2015.

PETALING JAYA: There is a mixed response from employers to the Human Resources Development Fund’s (HRDF) move over the unutilised portion of the 30% levy collected into a common fund.

While some are in support, others feel they should have a free hand in choosing the skills train­-ing needed for their employees.

The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) said it fully supported HRDF’s move.

It said the fund would be utilised with respect to certification or development programmes and activities that corresponded with the Government’s strategic directions.

“It will also focus on the advances in technology, system and processes within the industries - both of which will enhance the employers’ level of competitiveness through skilled employees,” said ACCCIM’s secretary-general Datuk Low Kian Chuan (pic).

As of April 1, any unutilised portion of the 30% levy collected monthly from registered emplo-yers for the 1Malaysia Globally Recog­nised Industry and Profes­sional Certification Programme (1MalaysiaGRIP) has been moved to a common fund.

Low said among the concerns raised by some employers was that they would not be able to release their employees to attend training programmes that run for a long time because it would affect the productivity of the company.

Another concern was whether the fund was beneficial to employers not registered with the HRDF.

“ACCCIM looks forward to collaborating with HRDF; to ensure that through the fund, there will be sufficient funding for training and up-skilling of small and medium enterprise employees, especially in view of the strong competition following the implementation of the Asean Economic Community this year and the Trans Pacific Part-ner­ship Agreement in 2018,” said Low.

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) said it was in discussions with HRDF together with stakeholders over the administration of the fund.

FMM president Datuk Seri Saw Choo Boon said this was to ensure there was fair access to the fund by deserving companies.

“We are also looking into the suitability of the courses and training institutions providing them,” he said, adding that it was important that these training programmes were offered at fair market rates.

The Malaysian Employers Fede­ration (MEF) is against the pool fund on grounds employers have the right to determine their own up-skilling programmes.

“We are objecting because as contributors, we need not be directed by HRDF on how we want to spend our levy.

“If the Government wants to do training programmes then they should use their own funds and not take it from our contributions,” said MEF executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan.

He said MEF had conducted a survey among its members recently and that of the almost 270 participating companies, 91% of them said “no” to the consolidated fund.

Shamsuddin added that the survey report was being finalised.