The government does, however, provide social security protection to the self-employed, which covers gig workers.
HRM Asia’s CHRO Online Series 2021 continues November 18 with CHRO Malaysia discussing how HR is taking the lead in shaping the future of work.
The Social Security Organization (Socso) will give its full support to the government’s plan to strengthen the labour market and expand social safety nets.
The Malaysia Productivity Corporation says that a conducive business environment is crucial to boosting productivity and competitiveness.
An enhanced hiring and training incentive programme targets businesses that are offering digital tech and services roles.
One of the main priorities of next year’s budget is creating employment opportunities in a time when many have lost their jobs or had their salaries cut.
Malaysia is making amendments to the Employment Act 1955 on flexible work to ensure employees can work safely from home.
Foreign workers are currently required to undergo a mandatory quarantine period of seven days at a government-certified quarantine centre.
Roles in the professional, scientific and technical sectors contributed to the bulk of job opportunities for candidates.
The human resources minister has tabled for the first reading a Bill to amend the Employment Act to insert a new section on paternity leave in Parliament.
Labour productivity also registered a fall of 16% in 2020, following a reduction in workforce numbers, notes the Malaysian Employers Federation.
Malaysia aims for the digital economy to contribute 22.6% to its gross domestic product and create 500,000 new jobs by 2025.
The Public Service Department (JPA) is mandating all medically fit civil servants to get the jab against COVID-19 or face the sack.
The portal is able to match jobseekers accurately to respective roles, based on their academic qualifications, experience and skills.
A total of RM$84.2 million has also been channelled to 13,884 businesses in the form of grants and loans for subscriptions to digitalisation services.
The Financial Management & Resilience Programme (URUS) has been launched for individual borrowers who continue to be affected by the pandemic.
The current salary increment rate ranges between 100% and 150%, while the cost of living has increased from 400% to 600%, said a senator.
The most common reasons why SME bank loan applications get rejected are insufficient cash flow, an unviable business, and high levels of debt.
Businesses are looking at cash flow continuity and survival, especially in industries hit hard by the pandemic, said the SME Association of Malaysia.
As of September 24, the support packages have benefited some 20 million Malaysians, and 2.4 million businesses.
The allocation of RM18 billion (US$4.3 billion) in wage subsidies has helped 2.9 million workers in the country keep their jobs so far, reports HR minister.
Training programmes should also be focused based on the skills needed in a particular area, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Malaysia has announced that all medically fit federal government employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The government is aiming for all research, development, commercialisation, and innovation initiatives to be aligned with national interests.
Employers have been told not to impose mandatory vaccination requirements on their staff or penalise those who opt not to be vaccinated.
More than 376,000 job seekers have successfully been employed through initiatives implemented by the National Employment Council (NEC).
The current minimum wage of RM1,200 (US$286) per month can be revised upwards in stages, a former minister has suggested.
51% of the RM490 billion (US$116.93 billion) allocated under the eight pandemic stimulus packages has been disbursed so far.
Commencing from September 21, the disbursement will be rolled out twice, once in September and another in November.
The government has been urged to address gender gaps exacerbated by the pandemic when formulating next year’s budget.
