Rosnah: Open 1Azam Kerja programme to all youths
Published on: Thursday, January 29, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: The 1Azam Kerja programme that aims to help the hardcore poor and poor youths to acquire living skills should also be made available to eligible youths who are not registered with the e-Kasih database.Deputy Works Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, who made the call, said the programme should be open to all youths and not rigidly for participants registered under the e-Kasih database so that the benefits are enjoyed by all.She said the 1Azam programme with various categories are being carried out by respective ministries and departments to raise the living standard of its target group of those registered in the e-Kasih list.
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"Actually there are many youths out there who want and eligible to participate in the programme but they could not join as they are not registered in the e-Kasih database."When in fact, they are eligible because their low-incomes are within the poor category. However there is one problem…for many reasons, they have yet to register with the e-Kasih."Nonetheless, I hope the programme would not be too rigid to accept only e-Kasih participants and consider to extend the courses to those who are interested and their incomes are within the poverty bracket," she said.Rosnah, who is also Papar MP, said this in her speech when officiating a closing ceremony and presentation of certificates for 1Azam Programme for Papar sponsored by Sabah Labour Department here on Wednesday.
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The department appointed a local-based Excellence Skill Academy (ESA) in Papar to conduct the 1Azam Kerja Programme for e-Kasih participants in the district since 2013.Rosnah presented the certificates to 24 participants for those completing a course in postnatal treatment, massage and slimming for a month especially for the e-Kasih participants from Papar.
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She also presented the certificates to another 10 participants who completed a spa therapy and reflexology course over two weeks. Also present were new Sabah Labour Department director Kamal bin Pardi, ESA Manager Stella Matuya and other officials.Rosnah said the implementing agency and organisers of the 1Azam programme also need to identify and invite these youths who are in the low-income group to take up the living skill courses that could change their lives for better."There are several reasons why these youths who are eligible to register for the e-Kasih list have yet to do. "I think youths do not like the task of registering themselves…even when I was young, it took me a while to even register as a voter."Therefore, I am suggesting that the agency and organisers of the programme to also help register their participants who are eligible to register under the e-Kasih database so that they would not be left out from benefiting such opportunities," she said.Rosnah also commended a particular course – the Post-Natal Treatment, Massage and Slimming especially for women, who have given birth, that is most appropriate to be organised to produce female youths who are skillful in such field as there is a high demand for such therapists.In addition, she advised the participants to think positive and make full use of the living skills to elevate their socio-economics and never give up when facing obstacles.In respect of the e-Kasih, she said it is vital to review and update the e-Kasih database from time to time so that those income who are no more within the poverty line should be taken out from the list.Meanwhile, Stella said the academy has trained a total of 122 e-Kasih participants under the 1Azam Kerja Programme that offers various health and wellness skill courses like the post-natal treatment that includes massage and slimming, make-up, reflexology and spa therapy.She said many of those participants who completed the courses are either being employed in the respective fields, doing freelance service and open up small business that offers such skills.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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