KUCHING: There is an acute shortage of skilled workers in the state, particularly welders, due to the many infrastructure projects being implemented at the moment, said Sarawak deputy premier Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said he was informed of the problem by contractors in the state.
“It is also not easy for them (contractors) to employ foreigners due to the strict immigration rules. So I hope local educational institutions like i-CATS University College can play a role in overcoming this problem,” he said in a statement today.
He said Sarawak, under the leadership of premier Abang Johari Openg, was implementing many massive infrastructure projects statewide.
Uggah, who is also Sarawak’s infrastructure and port development minister, said his ministry alone had about RM30 billion worth of projects at hand.
“Coming our way are two gigantic projects: the new airport and the new deep-sea port, both at Tanjung Embang,” he added.