Malaysian government commits to creating 500,000 new jobs

The Malaysian government plans to create 500,000 new job opportunities in 2021, it announced in the release of the nation’s Budget 2021 on November 6.

The scheme, which will also include skills development and retraining programmes, will cost the government RM3.7 billion (USD$897 million), said Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. 

It will also be continuing its hiring incentive programme, with an allocation of RM2 billion (USD$582 million), expected to increase employment opportunities for 200,000 jobseekers. 

The hiring stimulus includes incentives for employers to hire the disabled, long-term unemployed, and retrenched workers, as well as locals over foreign workers. This is especially so for sectors with a high reliance on foreign workers such as construction and plantations, said the Finance Minister. 

The government has also allocated RM$1 billion (USD$242 billion) in reskilling and upskilling programmes, targeted to benefit 200,000 trainees. 

Starting from January next year, the government will offer 50,000 contract job opportunities within the public sector and government-linked companies. 

READ: Special Task Force committee set up to help Malaysian workers in Singapore

Of these, 35,000 jobs will be offered in the public sector, with a focus on nurses, medical attendants, social welfare officers and temporary teachers. Meanwhile, there will be 15,000 roles in government-linked companies in the technical and financial fields, as well as apprenticeship programmes for fresh graduates. 

The government has also committed to extending its wage subsidy programme for another three months, allocating RM1.5 billion (USD$367 million) to the cause.