BINTULU: Dropping out of school early and then getting involved in social problems are something that worry parents most, says Harry Tan Joo Seng the secretary of Sarawak Fishing Vessels Association (SFVA).
They are thus proposing that the state Labour Department find ways and means to help these youngsters, like allowing them to work on fishing vessels, with the consent of their parents.
Harry Tan Joo Seng
He said they had difficulty attracting local crew to work onboard fishing vessels, and had to hire foreigners instead.
“The idea is to give these young people, especially those from the villages and longhouses, school drop-outs from poor families the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in the fishing industry.
“We will teach them the basic knowledge and skills working as a crew onboard fishing vessels.
“Who knows, maybe in the future, they can operate their own fishing vessels,” he told a press conference yesterday.
He added that locals had not much interest in the fishing industry. The present fishermen are already old and many are not capable to go out to the sea anymore. Foreign crews were the only option left.
He added that while working they could learn and gain valuable experience, and maybe they could attract more local people to join them.
“We are also urging the Sarawak Labour Department to have a dialogue with us to discuss this employment issue.”
Meanwhile, the state Labour Department director Awang Raduan Awang Omar, when contacted said the existing labour law (Children and Young Persons (Employment) Act prohibits underage children from working on fishing vessels.