Employers 'ignoring remanded Indian youths'

SHAH ALAM - More than 5,500 Indian youths claim they were shunned at job interviews last year because they came from high-risk neighbourhoods or were arrested as suspects in police swoops, according to MIC's social research arm Yayasan Strategik Sosial (YSS).

It found that employers were not willing to hire them although they had the qualifications and had not committed any crime, but were merely suspects remanded to facilitate investigations. YSS assistant director Barmasewam Kannusamy, 29, revealed that 6,000 Indian youths were arrested in the country last year but only 480 were charged and the rest were only suspects.

"Files were opened for investigation purposes but no cases were brought against the youths who are between 18 and 25 in age. It is unfair for employers to shun them just because they were remanded by police," he said.

He added that YSS had been able to secure jobs for some of the youths through an understanding with Construction Industry Development Board. "Most of the youths are trained for three months in operating heavy machinery and later absorbed into the construction industry," said Barmasewam.

He added that YSS had obtained the help of Credit Guarantee Corporation to assist youths keen to venture into business. "Our aim is to see that youths with a social stigma are not penalised as this will affect the community," he said.

YSS has set up a booth at Dewan Juli Perak - venue of the MIC 56th General Assembly.

Those interested in finding out more about YSS can visit their website at www.yss.my

(Submitted on 27th May 2002)