Able-bodied homeless individuals need a helping hand to leave the streets.

Without a place to stay or proper shower facilities, most homeless people are too shy to even attend job interviews.

Because of their inability to find employment, they have been labelled lazy and irresponsible.

However, several companies have stepped up to the plate by not only offering the homeless jobs but also providing them the support system they need to stay off the streets.

“I try to take in as many as I can, as I believe that by doing so I’m saving them one at a time,” said SKS Services and Pest Management Sdn Bhd managing director Mohd Sujak Katiran.

Hiring the homeless is a risk that most employers wouldn’t want to take, but Mohd Sujak is different.

“If we never try, we will never know how good or bad they are.

“If we don’t help them, then who will?” he asked.

He has taken a former homeless man Muhamad (not his real name) who is paid a salary of RM1,350, but that sum can reach RM2,000 with overtime.

The 28-year-old had come from a village in Taiping, Perak, with only RM1,800 to pay for temporary accommodation while searching for a job.

After a few months, he was kicked out of his room as he had no money to pay rent.

He has been working with the company for over two months and does fumigation work.

“He has been doing really well and I’ve told him that he will be promoted if he keeps up the good work,” he said.

One of the homeless candidate filling in the form during the street interview session.

He added that Muhammad’s work performance is even better than some other workers.

“People who have been shunned by society need a little trust, support and a second chance to move on.

“I believe that more companies can do their part by not only hiring them but also giving them the support they need,” he said.

Muhammad is currently living in company-provided accommodation, along with his colleagues.

Mohd Sujak is also educating Muhammad to manage his finances.

“I tell him that RM1,000 should be kept as savings monthly so that in one year’s time, he will have RM12,000 or even more,” he said.

He plans to hire more homeless persons as soon as he has job vacancy.

Another company which is willing to give the homeless a chance is Compugates Sdn Bhd, an IT products distribution company.

“After learning about their difficulties in finding jobs, we wanted to help give them a chance.

“They would help sell our agarwood tea and we will pay them RM15 per sale,” said Compugates executive director See-Thoo Chan.

Chan said they will be given basic training and equipped with the tools and skills needed to succeed.

“We have an agarwood plantation in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, too and may bring some homeless there to work if needed,” she said.

These companies were introduced to the homeless by Al-Waasi, a voluntary organisation set up to help find jobs for the underprivileged and the homeless.

Together with organiser Hayati Ismail and another volunteer organisation called Religion Of Love (ROL), they provide a platform for willing employers to meet potential employees.

So far, Al-Waasi has conducted a few street interview sessions, Their regular spot is along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, with plans to expand to the open space near Pudu Sentral.

“Without us, most of them who are eager to work will find it hard to get a job as most are immediately turned away when they go for interviews,” said Al-Waasi chairman Rafizal Abd Rafar.

“Applicants have to fill in a form and be interviewed about how they ended up on the street. We will also find out their past work or education qualifications, if any,” he said.

Rafizal, who works full time as a courier supervisor, said more people ended up on the street because of debt or have been cheated by their previous employers.

Based on past interview sessions, Al-Waasi has met a few interesting candidates, including one who has a diploma.

“He is very competent but he became homeless because of family problems, stress at his previous work place and debts.

“We have forwarded his resume to bigger companies to fully utilise his skills,” he said.

So far only three people have been successfully placed in proper jobs, while a few more are going through the selection process.

“We will carry out more job interviews for however long it takes, until the homeless who are able to work have proper jobs,” he said.

Other than SKS Services and Pest Management, Al-Waasi has also worked with a food-and-beverage factory and a power plant in Terengganu, screening the homeless who are potential job candidates.

To contact Al-Waasi, go to https://www.facebook.com/alwaasikl.

-thestar