Tax incentive for hiring senior citizens and ex-convicts hailed

KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed tax incentive for employment of senior citizens and ex-convicts will not only help to stir the country’s economic growth, but is also the best initiative to help them return to work, says Malaysian Crime Pre­vention Foundation vice-president Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

He said it provided a second chance for ex-convicts to return to society and turn over a new leaf.

“Prior to this, society, especially employers, were sceptical of hiring ex-convicts. With hardly any chance of getting a job, they returned to their old ways.

“With this announcement, they are given a new lease of life,” Lee said.

Under Budget 2019, the government proposed to give an additional tax deduction for companies that provide full-time employment for senior citizens above the age of 60 and former convicts.

Lee said the initiative would also reduce the government’s dependence on foreign workers.

“Not many people want to work in certain sectors such as plantation and construction, hence employers can use the service of ex-convicts which will indirectly help them save cost.

“Many of the ex-convicts learn various skills while in prison, so employers do not have to worry about them not having any skills,” he added.

Malaysian Employers Federation executive secretary Datuk Sham­sud­­din Bardan said implementation of the initiative should be done in synergy with the Prisons Depart­ment to avoid untoward incidents.

“Exposure, advice and monitoring by the Prisons Department on the employers and ex-convicts is very important for the two parties to understand one another,” he added. — Bernama