2,215 benefit from welfare dept’s launching grant since 2020, says S’wak deputy minister

SIBU (May 24): The Sarawak Welfare Department has between 2020 and March this year provided launching grants to 2,215 welfare aid recipients to participate in entrepreneurship, with a total allocation of RM11.225 million, said Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam.

The Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development said of this number, 661 individuals or 29.84 per cent of Wellbest Entrepreneurs have successfully earned a net income or sales exceeding RM1,200 per month.

“The government through the Welfare Department has provided economic opportunities to the department’s target groups, particularly welfare aid recipients, to join the entrepreneurial field by granting a launching grant of RM5,000.

“Productive welfare is an approach to help welfare aid recipients towards self-sufficiency and survival, so they do not depend on aid permanently by empowering clients to continue their lives independently and intensifying programmes towards human capital development,” he said during the Wellbest Entrepreneurship Seminar: Aspire To Inspire 2024 opening ceremony at Sibu Town Square Phase 2 today.

He added that this approach considers the aspect of increasing client motivation to be ready for work after receiving skills training suitable to their capabilities.

“Client involvement in employment is continuous to ensure they do not return to welfare aid for their livelihood,” he explained.

The seminar, attended by 107 Wellbest entrepreneurs from across Sarawak, is being held in conjunction with the Wellbest Sarawak Carnival 2024 which runs until May 26.

According to Mohamad Razi, the government has also adopted an ‘exit-policy’ approach to reduce the community’s dependence on government aid and achieve the department’s goal of making welfare services productive for the target group for no more than two years.

Regarding the seminar, he said it aims to open the minds of the department’s clients and serve as a catalyst for them to strive to be more productive and contribute to society.