The government is preparing a set of crisis support measures after 5,900 Malaysians lost their jobs in March, with the heaviest impact in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
Human Resources Minister R. Ramanan said the layoffs reflect growing pressure on the labour market, driven by global economic uncertainty and ongoing geopolitical tensions. New measures will be announced on Labour Day (1 May) to help affected workers and improve access to support.
The plan focuses on making job seekers more employable, including updates to the Employment Insurance System Act. This is expected to expand social protection and make it easier for workers to access reskilling and upskilling programmes. The aim is straightforward: help displaced workers move into more stable jobs and reduce strain on the job market.
Ramanan was speaking after visiting the MYFutureJobs Premium Career Carnival 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The two-day event offered about 10,000 vacancies, with salaries ranging from RM3,000 to RM16,000, across multinational firms, government-linked companies and private businesses.
Most openings were in manufacturing and services, along with roles in nursing, banking and auditing. The services sector alone made up nearly 30% of the jobs on offer, pointing to continued demand in that area.
The ministry is targeting at least 200,000 job placements this year through programmes such as MyFutureJobs.
