Up to RM5,000 starting salaries for JS-SEZ possible, says Zahid

JOHOR BARU: Johor is set to become the first state to offer a starting salary of RM4,000 to RM5,000 for skilled workers in specific sectors related to the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) would play a significant part in realising the state’s vision of offering such premium starting salaries in Johor.

“This could also ensure that the 100,000 quality job opportunities, expected to be created under the JS-SEZ, will be taken up.

“At the moment, about 74,000 of such jobs have been made available and only some 52,000 have been filled.

“This shows that the people want high-paying and quality jobs,” he said at the launch of the JTDC at Persada Johor International Convention Centre here on Sunday (Nov 3).

He noted that Johor faces competition from its neighbour in hiring skilled and quality workforce due to the conversion rate of the salaries offered.

He cited an example of a local company offering a minimum wage of RM1,700 compared to S$1,500 offered by a Singaporean company, which is about RM5,000 after conversion.

“For Johor to take measures to offer a premium starting salary of RM4,000 for diploma holders and RM5,000 for degree holders... I believe Johor is the first state doing this,” he said.

He added that this was also important for parents as it concerns opportunities and the careers of their children.

Ahmad Zahid also instructed the Human Resources Development Corporation to channel RM20mil to JTDC within a month to aid in its efforts to train and discover skilled talents to join the workforce.

Earlier, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi in his opening address, highlighted the challenges faced by companies in Johor when hiring skilled talents.

“Johor is the first state to launch a talent development council. One of the pilot initiatives we are working on is to collaborate with data centres to offer diploma holders a starting salary of RM4,000 and RM5,000 for degree holders.

“We hope to offer high-value jobs for the major sectors under the JS-SEZ,” he added.

Onn Hafiz also said that JTDC’s role was to realign all the courses offered by higher education institutions to focus on industry demands.