KUALA LUMPUR: A poll has showed that urban dwellers in Malaysia are feeling the pinch as the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the fore concerns over job security.
EMIR Research's focused group discussion for the Third Quarter 2020 (3Q20) poll showed that many young Malaysians were lamenting over the rising cost of living in urban areas.
"Lack of employment opportunities in some sectors have led to fresh graduates not being able to practice the knowledge and skills acquired during the years spent in university.
"As a result, many are forced to join the expanding gig economy.
"Some also narrated that they have no choice but to find part-time jobs in order to support their expenses while still acquiring their degree," it said.
EMIR said its findings also showed that Malaysians in urban areas have been forced to find additional jobs to make ends meet since their wages have remained stagnant.
The situation, however, is markedly different in rural areas, where polls showed that rural dwellers appear to be less concerned over job security concerns.
"Leading a relatively simple, self-contained and self-employed existence, Felda settlers and village fishermen appear to be less exposed to and less affected by the negative economic impacts of the bustling economic activities of the urban dwellers.
"They also mentioned no incidence of losing jobs among their family members or friends," it said.
EMIR, in its report, said some Felda settlers said they were better off now than two years ago.
"They are not subjected to constant financial pressure nor face threats of losing jobs and sources of earning amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Felda pasar malam peddlers have also become more innovative, with them now taking online orders via WhatsApp and doing cash-on-delivery home orders," it said.
However, rural fishermen remain worried over the restricted fishing hours imposed by the authorities as this limits their ability to catch and earn more.
"This is on top of the perpetual problems of not getting valid fishing licence, fluctuating prices of fish and agricultural commodities, middlemen's manipulative activities, prevalence of gambling and drug abuse in their community, as well as challenges in their children's access to education during the MCO due to poor technology infrastructure," said the report.