{
  "id": 8385981,
  "title": "Job losses rise 29% to 68,177 as Malaysia labour market faces sectoral pressure",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/job-losses-rise-29-to-68-177-as-malaysia-labour-market-faces-sectoral",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-19T04:55:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/127461/job-losses-rise-29-to-68177-as-malaysia-labour-market-faces-sectoral-pressure"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia's labour market saw a 29% increase in job losses, with 68,177 positions vacated between January and September 16, according to the latest data. Manufacturing, wholesale, and retail trade were the hardest hit sectors despite the unemployment rate staying steady at 3.0 per cent. Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir highlighted the need for close monitoring of the situation, but noted that overall labour-market indicators remained robust. The labour force grew to 17.37 million, with 16.85 million employed, and the labour force participation rate remained at 70.9 per cent. Despite the increase in job losses, the unemployment rate stayed the same, with 520,300 people unemployed. The government, through the Social Security Organisation and MYFutureJobs portal, is actively assisting displaced workers in finding new jobs, placing 143,653 workers in new positions between January and September 11. While the labour market as a whole remains stable, the government remains vigilant about the pressing issues in certain sectors.",
  "summary": "THE nation recorded 68,177 job losses between January and Sept 16, an increase of 15,196 workers or about 29 per cent from the same period last year, as manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade came under pressure. Economy Minister Akmal Nasrulla...",
  "key_points": [
    "Job losses in Malaysia increased by 29% to 68,177 positions",
    "Manufacturing, wholesale, and retail trade sectors experienced the most job cuts",
    "Government and MYFutureJobs portal assisted 143,653 displaced workers"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The rise in job losses in specific sectors, despite an overall stable labour market, highlights the government's challenge in addressing sectoral pressures while maintaining robust labour-market indicators.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}