MP SPEAKS | The government must announce impactful and immediate measures to cushion the blow on our economy due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The country is facing the highest unemployment rates in 10 years and the news of more companies shutting down is constantly flowing in, which means more people are being retrenched.

The massive job loss has devastated livelihoods at unprecedented levels.

The government has been silent on measures to curb this. Do they not think the situation is dire enough to warrant immediate attention?

It must announce a financial package that will create jobs to improve the employment situation. 

The government must also fund re-skilling and up-skilling training for workers so they can remain relevant in the wake of the “new normal” that is also shaping our economy.

It must also be aware of the needs of the B40 group and vulnerable communities. These groups are most affected by the economic situation and need all the help they can get.

I suggest that immediate action be taken to set up traineeships and re-skilling programmes for them.

The government can then work with companies to ensure that these workers are made a priority when they look to hire.

It is important that Malaysians pick up relevant skills to bring to their new jobs as the world and its economies are changing, and the industries are demanding all sorts of different skills from their workers.

The government can also encourage more Malaysians to take up these programmes by offering a small allowance.

It is disappointing that my suggestion of setting up a bipartisan National Task Force to secure business sustainability and job security for all was not even considered by the government.

It must put aside political interest as the impact of Covid-19 is threatening the nation as a whole.

The suggested task force would have comprised experts from Human Resources Ministry's employers' organisations, unions, opposition politicians, and related agencies as a coordinated effort to ensure job security and contribute to economic stability in the long run.

A win-win situation between employers and employees should be worked out.

M KULA SEGARAN is Ipoh Barat MP and former human resources minister.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.