Malaysia allocates RM$7 million to accelerate COVID-19 screening for foreign workers

Malaysia allocates RM$7 million to accelerate COVID-19 screening for foreign workers
Malaysia aims to bridge the digital divide among workers

All Malaysians should seize the opportunities made available under the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, says Malaysian minister.
Malaysia approves RM1.259 billion of financing for SME support

Under the National Economic Recovery Plan, the scheme prioritises SMEs that have not received financing from banks previously.
Malaysia imposes requirements for improved workers’ lodging

Failure to comply with government orders to improve living quarters will result in RM200,000 in fines or a three-year jail term, or both.
Malaysia aims to create 500,000 jobs in the digital economy by 2025

The government also aims for the digital economy to contribute to 22.6% of the country’s gross domestic product in four years.
Malaysia’s Yayasan Peneraju has certified over 36,000 bumiputeras

Yayasan Peneraju, an initiative to strengthen the capacity of bumiputeras (local Malays), has trained and certified over 36,000 bumiputeras since 2012.
Malaysia launches dedicated jobs programme for graduates

Poor English proficiency and skills mismatch among graduates are reasons why they are less desirable in the job market, says MEDAC minister.
Malaysian government partners industries to create over 160,000 jobs

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has said that more than 160,000 jobs are expected to be created in 2021 through investments in human capital.
Malaysia’s jobless rate highest since 1993

The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) has said the country’s unemployment rate increased 4.5% in 2020 – the highest in 27 years.
MEF wants all economic sectors to resume operations in Malaysia

The continued closure due to movement controls will inevitably lead to bankruptcy and unemployment, cautions the Malaysian Employers’ Federation.
70,000 jobs can be created in Malaysia with 1% increase in GDP

The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) said the local economy has the capacity to create 70,000 jobs for every 1% increase in its GDP.
Malaysia eschews strict lockdown to keep jobs

Finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said the government will not impose a strict lockdown as it would impact the country’s 900,000 SMEs severely.
Malaysian youths exhorted to keep abreast of digitalisation

Yayasan Peneraju said the country’s young human capital needs to be retrained and upskilled to keep up with digitalisation trends.
Companies in Malaysia to help with COVID-19 vaccination and tests

This will help the country manage the economy better, and help industry players affected by the pandemic, Malaysia’s HR minister says.
Malaysia’s wage subsidies total RM20.7 billion in payouts

The third phase of the country’s wage subsidy programme will receive an additional injection of RM500 million.
Malaysia: Reskilling workers better strategy than wage subsidies

The government’s strategy to mitigate the effects of the pandemic should be to upskill or reskill workers instead of continuing to pay wage subsidies.
Malaysian MPs: Provide 6 months’ automatic loan moratorium

Twenty-five MPs have appealed to the government to implement six months of automatic loan moratorium to save jobs.
Malaysia steps up delivery of Permai package

The Social Security Organisation (Socso) has committed to the quick implementation of the Permai financial package.
Malaysia rolls out RM15 billion economic package

Initiatives include a one-off monetary assistance for taxi and bus drivers, and a special three-month electric bills discount for six business sectors.
Malaysian unions urge government to prevent retrenchments as MCO starts

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress had previously proposed emergency employment laws to be enacted to prevent businesses from retrenching workers.
Some Malaysian employers cover up status of staff infected by COVID-19

Fearing that their businesses will not be able to operate at full capacity, some employers remained silent about staff testing positive for the virus.
Malaysia requires employers to provide quarantine centres for foreign workers

Employers will also be responsible for medical costs and ensuring the welfare of their foreign workers.
Funding from FDI to create high-skilled jobs in Malaysia

The government is partnering international venture capital fund managers to create jobs, said Malaysia’s finance minister.
Malaysia sees more protection for workers’ rights take effect in January

Employers or employees may now be represented by any person of their choice, excluding lawyers, during dispute processes.
IMF projects full recovery for Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia in 2021

Out of the six leading economies in Southeast Asia, three countries are expected to expand in 2021, while others will struggle to recover.
All foreign workers In Malaysia must be screened for COVID-19 starting Jan 1

The order would see all foreign workers spanning all sectors to undergo mandatory screening.
Malaysia disburses RM$12.6 billion in wage subsidies

The nation’s hiring incentive and training assistance programme has also helped 106,443 employees secure employment.
Malaysia’s high-tech SMEs to benefit from central bank’s RM$1 billion facility

Eligible SMEs under the programme can obtain financing of up to RM$1 million for working capital.
Malaysia’s wage subsidies total RM$15 billion as at end-October

The nation’s wage subsidy programme aims to help businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to sustain companies and lower retrenchment.
Malaysia’s machinery & equipment sector urged to adopt digitisation

The country’s machinery and equipment (M&E) sector, which accounts for 85% of local SMEs, needs to adopt digital solutions to stay competitive.