BY SITI NURAIN RATANI
KUCHING: JobStock on Monday (Feb 10) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sarawak Society for the Deaf to expand employment opportunities for the deaf community.
The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Well-being Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, with JobStock Managing Director Ryan Jee and Society Chairman Dr Jason Lim representing their respective organisations.
According to Fatimah, JobStock will reach out to nearly 5,000 private corporate clients across Sarawak to recommend deaf individuals as part of the workforce and gather feedback on companies’ readiness to employ them.
“I urge all private companies in Sarawak to support this initiative and consider hiring deaf individuals in the future. I believe they can also be a valuable workforce if given the opportunity,” she said.
She made these remarks at the MoU signing held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration with the Deaf Community at the Sarawak Society for the Deaf Building here.
Fatimah also stressed the need for job-matching support to help the deaf community access opportunities that align with their skills and qualifications.
“We need a comprehensive database on the deaf community in Sarawak. This should include their education levels, whether secondary, higher education, or technical skills training at vocational centres,” she said.
She suggested that the Society collaborate with relevant ministries to develop this database, ensuring clear records of the number of deaf individuals who have completed their education and are eligible for employment.
“If the number of those completing education is low, this highlights the need to raise awareness and improve access to education for the deaf community.
“Regardless of who they are, everyone has the right to education, as it is the foundation of self-empowerment,” she explained.
She also highlighted the need to review government policies regarding employment for the deaf, both in the public and private sectors, from civil service positions to jobs in the fast-food industry.
“We must examine how employment policies can be structured to ensure the deaf community is not left behind in the development process,” she added.
Meanwhile, she urged parents not to hinder their deaf children from receiving education, as it is the key to a better life.
“There are still parents in certain areas who refuse to send their children to school. This must change because, without education, they will struggle to find employment and become independent,” she said.
