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Sabah has long struggled with high unemployment. A closer examination suggests that a significant factor behind this issue might not be the unavailability of jobs but rather a voluntary choice by Sabahans to remain unemployed. 

This analysis explores various dimensions of this issue, including cultural attitudes, economic structures, systemic challenges, and the need for all available workers to contribute to state-building efforts through employment and taxation.

Reluctance to Work in the 3D (Dirty, Dangerous, and Difficult) Jobs

A significant portion of the employment landscape in Sabah involves the 3D jobs, which include construction, plantation work, and roles as domestic helpers. Despite the high demand for labour in these sectors, many Sabahans are unwilling to take up such jobs. 

This reluctance stands in stark contrast to countries like China, where their own nationals commonly engage in these labour-intensive jobs rather than relying on imported foreign labour.

The reliance on foreign labour in Sabah has several detrimental effects on the economy:

Wage Depression - The influx of foreign workers willing to accept lower wages can drive down overall wage levels, making it less attractive for locals to participate in these industries.

Economic Leakage - Money earned by foreign workers often leaves the country, reducing the amount of money circulating within the local economy and hampering domestic economic growth.

Skill Stagnation - Over-reliance on foreign labour can prevent the development of local skills and expertise in key industries, leading to long-term economic vulnerabilities.

Social Integration Issues - The presence of a large foreign workforce can create social tensions and integration challenges, potentially leading to societal fragmentation.

Desire for High-Salaried Positions Without Adequate Qualifications

Another significant issue is the mismatch between job seekers’ expectations and their qualifications. Many Sabahans express a desire for high-paying jobs but lack the necessary skills, experience, or qualifications to secure such positions.

This disconnect contributes to high unemployment rates as individuals overlook available opportunities in favour of pursuing unattainable positions.

Employers often argue that increasing wages for these positions could “spoil the market,” creating unrealistic salary expectations that could be unsustainable for businesses in the long run. 

However, another critical factor is employers’ reluctance to raise wages even when they are financially capable. 

Wages should be based on the profitability and ability of businesses rather than adhering strictly to average rates, ensuring fair compensation for workers and potentially attracting more locals to available jobs.

Structural Economic Challenges

Sabah’s economy is primarily driven by agriculture, tourism, and resource extraction. These sectors, while vital, do not provide the breadth of high-paying job opportunities needed to absorb a growing and increasingly educated workforce.

Additionally, the lack of industrial diversification means that there are limited opportunities for employment in other lucrative sectors such as technology, finance, and manufacturing.

The Availability of Highly Skilled Jobs

While the ideal solution would involve creating more high-paying, highly skilled jobs, such opportunities are limited and cannot absorb the entire workforce. Industries such as offshore oil and gas or the merchant navy offer lucrative positions, but there are few takers.

These jobs require a certain level of skill, training, and willingness to work under challenging conditions—factors that many Sabahans are either unable or unwilling to meet.

Educational and Training Gaps

The educational system in Sabah faces significant challenges, including inadequate funding, insufficient infrastructure, and a curriculum that may not align with the needs of the modern job market.

This results in a workforce that is often underprepared for the demands of both local and international employment opportunities.

Preference for Comfort Over Hard Labour

A deeper cultural and social examination reveals that many Sabahans prefer to stay home rather than take up jobs that are physically demanding or require relocation, whether overseas or to remote areas. 

This preference for comfort over hard labour significantly contributes to persistent unemployment, poverty, and low productivity.  Additionally, the strong community ties and cultural values in Sabah may discourage individuals from seeking employment far from home.

Systemic Issues and Government Policies

Government policies and systemic issues also play a role in the unemployment problem.

There may be insufficient incentives for businesses to invest in higher-paying industries or to provide better wages and working conditions. Additionally, bureaucratic hurdles and corruption can stifle economic growth and the creation of new job opportunities.

The Importance of Employment and Tax Contribution for State Building

One of the critical aspects of addressing Sabah’s unemployment issue is the need for all available workers to engage in whatever jobs are available, regardless of their nature. By doing so, they not only earn an income but also contribute to the state’s economy through tax payments. 

Taxes collected from a fully employed workforce can be reinvested in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other essential services, thus promoting state-building and long-term economic stability.

Reality Check - Job Availability and Applicant Shortages

A search on online platforms like Seek and the government’s MyFutureJobs will show plenty of jobs advertised and available. However, the stark reality is a lack of qualified people applying or even sufficient applicants.

This highlights a significant gap between job availability and the readiness or willingness of Sabahans to fill these positions.

Learning from Developed Countries - Specialization in Construction

In many developed countries like Australia, construction workers often specialize in areas such as plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry.  

These specialized roles are recognized as skilled crafts and offer good wages, allowing workers to earn a decent living. 

Emulating such a model could benefit Sabah by providing more attractive career paths in the construction industry, encouraging locals to develop specific skills and pursue these opportunities.

Parting Thoughts

The high unemployment rate in Sabah cannot solely be attributed to a lack of job opportunities. Rather, it is a complex issue influenced by the voluntary choices of Sabahans, who are often unwilling to engage in available work due to its nature or perceived low wages. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach:

Education and Training - Enhancing vocational training and education to equip Sabahans with the skills needed for both local and high-paying jobs.

Wage Reforms - Implementing wage reforms to make essential but unpopular jobs more attractive to local workers, and ensuring that wages reflect the profitability of businesses.

Cultural Shift - Encouraging a cultural shift that values hard work and recognizes the dignity of labour, regardless of the job type.

Economic Diversification - Promoting industrial diversification to create a broader range of employment opportunities.

Government Action - Ensuring effective government policies that incentivize businesses to offer better wages and working conditions, and addressing systemic issues such as bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption.

State-Building Contribution - Emphasizing the importance of employment and tax contributions by all workers to support state-building efforts and sustainable economic growth.

Only through addressing these underlying issues can Sabah hope to reduce its high unemployment rate and foster a more robust and inclusive economy.

The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express.

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