KUALA LUMPUR: The umbrella group for private sector workers' unions has criticised the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp) for using RM3.77 billion collected from levies for investments.

Malaysian Trades Union Congress secretary-general, Kamarul Baharin Mansor said HRD Corp should have used the funds to train workers.

He also said the organisation has strayed from its objective of driving talent development.

On Thursday, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revealed that HRD Corp used RM3.77 billion in levies collected from employers for training and development programmes for investments.

PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsuddin said HRD Corp was not an investment institution and that its investment activities were "dangerous" and put the organisation at risk of "huge losses"

Kamarul said the PAC's revelation was "disappointing" given that workers' skills were still unsatisfactory.

"We hope this matter is thoroughly investigated so that it serves as a lesson and won't happen again," he told Berita Harian.

Kamarul said it was time for the liberalisation of training programmes to allow unions and individual employees to apply for them or workers, instead of going through employers.

"We have been informed that there are employees who have worked for 10 years yet have never been sent for any training or upskilling programme or course."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/1072960/mtuc-criticises-hrd-corp-using-rm37b-levies-investments