KUALA SELANGOR: The government's initiatives to create and sustain jobs amid the Covid-19 pandemic have cut unemployment and ensured businesses remain resilient.
Caretaker Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the government's commitment has strengthened the labour market and boosted socio-economic growth.
The initiatives included hiring incentives, wage subsidies and employee retention programmes.
Other measures were the JaminKerja Programme and MYFutureJobs portal, a job placement and career planning programme under the Human Resources Ministry via the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso).
These efforts, he said, saw the unemployment rate in Malaysia, which rose to 4.5 and 4.6 per cent in 2020 and 2021, respectively, slipping to 3.7 per cent in August this year.
The RM21 billion Wage Subsidy Programme, introduced on April 1, 2020, has benefited 358,000 employers and saved 2.96 million jobs, he said at the launch of Karnival Kerjaya JaminKerja Keluarga Malaysia 2022 on Thursday.
"Up to October 14, the MYFutureJobs portal has helped 653,000 jobseekers, especially youth, secure employment nationwide.
"Of that figure, over 454,000 were recipients of the PenjanaKerjaya Hiring Programme and JaminKerja-Hiring Incentive Programme.
"As part of our continuous efforts [to create jobs], the carnival will offer 5,643 jobs by 26 employers.
"Alhamdulilah [praise be to God] this will also tackle unemployment issues faced by Keluarga Malaysia due to the pandemic," he said.
Tengku Zafrul said the government's policies have led to stronger gross domestic product (GDP) growth in three consecutive quarters, including the 8.9 per cent expansion in the second quarter of this year.
Malaysia's GDP performance, he said, was the best among Asean countries.
He said the reopening of the economy safely and in an orderly manner had driven domestic and external demand, stimulated business growth as well as boosted international trade.
"These were the results of the government's approach to listen to employers and employees, and continuously resolve issues through various measures," he added.
Tengku Zafrul said the government would help create jobs for the rural community, help workers acquire marketable skills and provide incentives to gig workers.
To create more jobs in rural areas, Perkeso, in collaboration with relevant agencies, will set up more MYFutureJobs Satellite Centres.
In the 2023 Budget, the government had proposed to build 13 satellite centres at Urban Transformation Centres nationwide to bridge the rural-urban divide.
This is on top of the 150 centres nationwide, which include 12 in Selangor, in areas such as Paya Jaras, Bukit Cherakah, Sungai Gumut, Bukit Kapar, the Prisons Department in Kajang, Bangi and Universiti Malaya.
Perkeso, he said, was working with the Human Resource Development Corp to set up the National Placement Centre in the Klang Valley, which would serve as a one-stop centre for jobseekers.
To help workers acquire marketable skills, the Finance Ministry, Human Resources Ministry and Human Resource Development Corp have set up the Upskill Malaysia platform to provide information on training and skills development programmes offered by ministries and agencies.
Tengku Zafrul said the Human Resource Development Corp's online learning platform, e-LATiH, offered free courses conducted by reputable international and local training providers.
"Aside from the RM1,500 new minimum wage enforced from May 1 this year, the government, through the Human Resources Ministry and Perkeso, also took a holistic approach to support various jobs and sectors. This includes gig workers.
"From 2021 until now, 58,456 self-employed individuals have received assistance through the KerjayaGig and SIP Gig incentives.
"Employers were also given financial incentives of up to RM42,000 for 12 months for each employee hired via the JaminKerja initiative.
"So, if you are looking for a new job, grab this golden opportunity.
"If you are hunting for a job in another state, the government provides a RM500 one-off mobility assistance that will be paid directly to the employee," he added.
JOB CARNIVAL GETS THUMBS UP
Determined to secure a stable job, Muhammad Hadi Hamza Sobri travelled for over an hour from Kuala Lumpur to 1 Plaza in Kuala Selangor for Karnival Kerjaya JaminKerja Keluarga Malaysia 2022.
The 27-year-old from Taman Melawati is a graduate in environmental engineering from Universiti Malaysia Perlis.
Hadi said he did not mind travelling far in hopes of landing one of the jobs offered by the 26 companies that took part in the carnival.
"I am a fresh graduate and I am job-hunting. I found out about this carnival from a radio advertisement and my friends.
"I went through the list of employers and was first drawn to a polymer manufacturing company, so I decided to try my luck.
"While I was surveying the other companies, I came across an engineering company, and I applied for the position of wastewater treatment officer.
"It was worth it to drive all the way here. I hope to hear from these companies soon," he said.
Another jobseeker from Kuala Lumpur, Ainaa Zahirah Zafli, 26, hopes to be hired as a graphic designer. The freelance headscarf designer was informed of the carnival by her elder sister, who advised her to secure a steady job after she obtained a degree from Universiti Teknologi Mara in Shah Alam.
"There are several suitable employers that I can apply to. I liked that there are companies from various sectors that have set up booths, ranging from food and beverage companies to chain supermarkets.
"Meeting potential employers in-person at this carnival is good, as I can get many questions answered, and I am able to build a rapport with prospective employers," she said.
Giatmara Kuala Selangor student Farizah Hilma Noh Isa, 16, went to the carnival to gain an insight into the working world.
Farizah, who was with her schoolmates, said she learnt about the participating companies and jobs offered.
"I aspire to become a fashion designer and hope to venture into the world of anime when I finish school. Coming to this carnival has provided me with an insight into the courses I should pursue after I finish school," she said.