Yong (second right) fields questions from the media. From left are Wong, Ting, and Samin vice-president Ling Tiu Khing.
SIBU (July 8): The state government has been called on to allow the maritime industry to mobilise between 80 and 100 per cent of its workforce during Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) to enhance production capacity.
In making the joint appeal, the Sarawak Association of Maritime Industries (Samin), Sibu Shipyards Association (SSA), and Miri Shipyards Association (MSA) said this should be on the condition employers participated in the industrial vaccination centre (PPVIN) programme to get their employees vaccinated.
Samin president Dr Renco Yong thanked the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development (Mintred) for initiating and arranging the PPVIN programme with Samin, which allowed both local and foreign workers of Samin member companies to be vaccinated.
“Most of the staff of member companies have received two doses of vaccine.
“We are most thankful if Mintred grants this request, which will enable the marine industry to operate full steam ahead and contribute to the socioeconomic development of Sarawak during these challenging times,” he told a press conference at the University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) PPVIN today.
Yong said over 1,400 workers from the maritime industry and shipyards had received at least their first dose of vaccine.
“After completing the vaccination, we appeal to the government to allow us to operate with a workforce capacity of between 80 and 100 per cent,” he said.
SSA chairman Ting Hua Ang said shipyards faced challenges to complete their clients’ contracts due to manpower constraints.
“We hope the government can consider allowing us to increase our workforce to between 80 and 100 per cent; otherwise it will affect our work,” he said.
SSA secretary Ferdinand Wong added the current 30 per cent workforce capacity would lead overseas clients to question their capability to deliver vessels on time.
“A lot of foreign clients, they went to different shipyards in other countries. That is problem that we are facing,” Wong said.