Ramanan: 70,240 workers undergoing career transition

According to the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) statistics, 70,240 individuals were undergoing career transition in Malaysia between January and September 25 this year, reported Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan. Of these, 34,800, or 49.54 percent, held diploma-level qualifications or higher. Manufacturing was the sector with the highest number of career transitions, involving 13,052 workers, or 18.58 percent, followed by wholesale and retail trade with 12,910 workers (18.38 percent), and construction with 7,215 workers (10.27 percent).

Minister Ramanan clarified to Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan (PN-Permatang Pauh) that 15,980 workers, or 22.75 percent of those undergoing career transition, managed to secure new jobs within the same period. Among these, 7,725 were skilled workers with diploma-level qualifications or higher who had returned to their professions. The ministry and Perkeso have taken measures to expedite the re-employment process for these workers, with an average job placement period of around three months.

To incentivize job re-entry, the Early Re-Employment Allowance, currently set at 25 percent of the remaining unpaid job search allowance, has been paid as a lump sum. However, starting October 1, this payment rate will increase to 50 percent in line with amendments to the Employment Insurance System and Employment Services Act 2026.

Additionally, Perkeso's MYFutureJobs portal has become the country's primary job-search platform, facilitating quicker and more systematic connections between jobseekers and suitable employment opportunities.