Move to help absorb retrenched LBU workers underway
LBU RETRENCHMENT
KUCHING: The Ministry of Infrastructure and Ports Development plans to absorb some of the workers who were retrenched by Lebuhraya Borneo Utara (LBU).
Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing said that his ministry was preparing a cabinet paper on the proposal.
LBU reportedly retrenched some 500 of its staff following the termination of its project delivery partner (PDP) agreement on the Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak.
According to Masing, 68 of the retrenched workers were Sarawakian engineers and supporting staff.
“I hope that the Works Ministry, as the minister had promised, will absorb some of them into its workforce,” he said.
Works Minister Baru Bian had said that the federal government was very concerned with the fate of the retrenched workers and was looking to absorb them.
He said the move was to ensure continuity of the Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak project, adding that priority would be given to Sarawakians.
On Wednesday, some 500 workers from LBU were laid off following the company’s termination as the PDP for the highway project.
Most of those retrenched are Sarawakians while others losing their jobs included construction engineers from Malaya.
The retrenched employees comprised those working at LBU headquarters in Kuching and 25 site offices throughout Sarawak.
Baru said they would either be placed under the Works Ministry or agencies under the Pan Borneo Highway structure.
