Its secretary-general, Andrew Lo, said the Sarawak government should introduce its own wage subsidy programme as the federal government had failed to provide much needed support to the private sector.

“Instead of spending billions of ringgit on grandiose projects such as building a wall along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border, 7G network or LRT (light rail transit), the Sarawak government should help the employers and reduce unemployment,” he said in a statement today.

“These grandiose projects will only put money into the pockets of a few selected contractors and any job creation from these projects will only be short-term. Besides, most of these jobs will be filled by foreign construction workers.”

He was commenting on the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang 5.0, worth RM405 million, announced by chief minister Abang Johari Openg yesterday.

Lo said the 11 measures were not enough to help the employers and economy. Hence, the state government should do more, he added.

He said the Sarawak government should provide a wage subsidy to employers in the state to help maintain employment and increase spending.

“When a cash subsidy is made available to the employers, it also benefits the employees, as they will have money to spend. This increases domestic consumption and sustains businesses,” he added.