The Human Resources Ministry has revealed that almost 100,000 people nationwide lost their jobs this year.
Based on the Employment Insurance System (EIS), 99,696 employees were laid off as of November 27th.
Photo via FMT
Deputy Minister Awang Hashim told Parliament today (December 3rd), this number includes highly skilled workers comprising managers (13,109 people); professionals (26,079 people); technicians and associate professionals (19,095 people).
“Among the reasons for unemployment include the closure of businesses, downsizing, voluntary separation scheme and mutual separation scheme. Next, companies suffer from critical financial problems, followed by partial closure, acquisition of companies and company relocation,” he said.
Awang added that although the government had implemented various initiatives and economic stimulus packages as part of efforts to lessen the impact of COVID-19, layoff was inevitable in certain sectors due to factors that were beyond employers’ control.
“Among sectors that were heavily affected because of the pandemic include the manufacturing sector; accommodation, food and beverage sector; wholesale and retail sector; transportation sector and others.
“For example, the main income of employers in the accommodation sector comes from international tourists, and at the same time the country is also affected because of the pandemic,” he said.
Meanwhile, Awang said it was estimated that 75% of the total number of workers who lost their jobs were from the B40 group earning RM4,000 and below.
“Therefore, the Wage Subsidy Programme by the government is aimed at helping those most affected in the B40 group.
"However, those in the managerial level who had been retrenched are still covered under the EIS Act, subject to a maximum pay of RM4,000,” he explained.
Awang also pointed out that individuals with a salary of more than RM4,000 would receive a job search allowance.
by Kyle Roshen Jacob
