Clearer definition of '3D' jobs needed - Lee Lam Thye

Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said today that there should be a clear cut definition of what is regarded as '3D' jobs (dangerous, dirty and difficult) or what jobs would fall in that category.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia (NIOSH) chairman believed that the move would help in identifying the sort of jobs involved.

“Any job can be dangerous, dirty and difficult. For example, a journalist’s job is risky and dangerous. A factory worker’s job can also be dangerous.

“So, are those jobs considered as 3D jobs? It should be clearly spelt out,” he said when contacted by Astro AWANI on Tuesday.

However, he said Malaysian youths should be looking at the '3D' jobs positively rather than viewing it negatively.

“The question here is how we manage it. If it is a dangerous job, one can join safety training courses," he said.

He added that employers could also play a role by conducting safety training courses and set up a safety committee.

“Also, employers should pay employees reasonably. They should not be paid like cheap labour. Then maybe our youths would consider doing 3D jobs,” he said.

Lee was commenting on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s challenge to local youths last Sunday to take up '3D' jobs if they do not want more foreign workers to be brought into the country.

He said if the jobs could be done by Malaysians, there is no need for the country to rely on foreign workers including Bangladeshis.