KUALA LUMPUR — The Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) is stepping up reskilling and upskilling efforts to support displaced workers, even as job losses declined in March.
Malaysia recorded 5,900 Loss of Employment (LOE) cases in March 2026, down 21.3 per cent from 7,500 in February, the ministry said in a statement.
Layoffs remain concentrated in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur due to their large, dense workforces, particularly in manufacturing, wholesale and retail, and information and communication sectors.
Kesuma described the trend as driven by structural shifts such as automation, digitalisation and changing global business patterns, rather than broader labour market weakness.
To address this, the ministry is strengthening programmes focused on future-ready skills including automation, e-commerce and digital technology via TVET initiatives and the MyMahir platform under TalentCorp.
Job matching is also being intensified through the MYFutureJobs portal and targeted career fairs, alongside engagements with at-risk employers to curb large-scale retrenchments.
“This approach ensures faster job transitions, minimising unemployment periods and safeguarding the workforce,” it said.
Job vacancies rose to about 107,000 in March, reflecting continued labour market resilience.
Meanwhile, the Social Security Organisation (Sosco) is supporting affected workers through the Employment Insurance System (SIP), offering financial aid, placement support and training.
Kesuma added that the Department of Labour will closely monitor retrenchments, requiring employers to submit a Retrenchment Notification Form (Borang PK) at least 30 days in advance, with non-compliance constituting an offence under labour laws.
The ministry said it will continue coordinating with relevant agencies to strengthen early intervention and ensure displaced workers return to employment quickly. – April 16, 2026