Johor beggars to get job training

Johor beggars to get job training

KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Beggars and vagrants in Malaysia's southern Johor state will be given grants and training to learn new skills to get them off the streets, a newspaper reported yesterday.

Johor Welfare Department Director Mohamed Kodri Omar was quoted as saying by the Star daily that job training for beggars can help meet a current shortage of skilled labor in the state and contribute towards nation building.

As a start, each beggar can apply for a state grant of 2,000 ringgit (US$800) to run small businesses like vegetable farming or other cottage industries.

A state-run shelter for the homeless will also offer lessons in operating basic machinery, cooking, housekeeping and carpentry to about 400 residents.