Close to 100,000 people lost their jobs between January and Nov this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parliament heard today.

According to Deputy Human Resources Minister Awang Hashim, the 99,696 workers comprise managers (13,109 people); professionals (26,079 people); technicians and associate professionals (19,095 people), based on Employment Insurance System (EIS) records.

"Al of them who who earned RM4,000 and above (per month) are not listed in the Wage Subsidy Programme (PSU) that we provide to help those who have lost their jobs," Awang said in Dewan Rakyat today, in reply to a question from DAP's Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran, who had asked why the Human Resources Ministry did not include retrenched workers in the management category as subsidy recipients.

The factors that led to unemployment include the closure of businesses, partial closure, downsizing, Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS), Mutual Separation Scheme (MSS), as well as companies suffering critical financial problems, takeover of companies and company relocation.

Some of the sectors impacted by the lay-offs are manufacturing, hospitality, food and beverage, wholesalers and retailers, as well as construction and transportation.

Awang added that an estimated 75% of those who lost their jobs in the period are from the B40 group earning RM4,000 a month, and below.

Those who earned above RM4,000 a month are still covered under the EIS (Employment Insurance System), subject to a maximum pay of RM4,000, and are entitled to get Job Search Allowance, he stressed.


Source: Bernama
Photo source: tal.sg