State government sets aside RM720k
BY TANIA LAM & SARAH HAFIZAH CHANDRA
KUCHING:The state government has agreed to allocate RM720,000 for the Sarawak Oil and Gas Workers Association (Sogwa) to secure a permanent office in Miri.
Sogwa president Jamal Abdullah said this would be a place for the association to run its operations and training.
“Thank you to the state government for the allocation — it will ease our burden,” he said in a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
He said that when they had met with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg earlier, it was discussed that Sogwa would be a reference point for oil and gas (O&G) players in terms of manpower supply.
“This means that if any O&G companies need manpower supply, they should refer to Sogwa in search of right skilled and technical people for the role.”
He said that the association will work the matter out with the government and the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).
According to Jamal, Sogwa has been a registered association since Aug 30, 2017 and it presently had 5,231 members.
He said it is the association’s mission to ensure the wellbeing of workers in the O&G industry.
“Our mission is also to work with training service providers for the O&G industry, particularly in Miri, to ensure that our members can benefit from training provided,” he said, adding that this would enhance their members’ skills and competencies.
“We work hand-in-hand with other non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government departments, and O&G players in the state for the benefit of Sarawakians at large.”
He said that Sogwa also provided job-matching services in the O&G sector.
“Lastly, we protect the welfare of our members through screening of letter offers, contract agreements, and to a certain degree, we guide and help them to settle disputes with companies.”
