Nabil Luqman

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Social

jobless

worry

minimum wage

criticism

unemployment

starting pay

fresh graduates

For many graduates, landing that first job is a major milestone, marking their entry into the workforce and the opportunity to earn their own income. This allows them to start building savings and even support their parents, especially if they&rsquo;re retired and could use extra help with basic expenses.
Although the economy is showing signs of recovery, one persistent challenge remains&mdash;finding a job. Many companies are still offering salaries well below the market rate and even below the national minimum wage, making it difficult for new graduates to secure fair employment.
Over 290K Malaysians Jobless Since 2020
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/2f6e147486a0f8de5f59d2ac0dc5d87ff768a4c9108ef14c258db17f3f09e9d5" />
According to Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, a total of 293,639 individuals have lost their jobs between 2020 and September 27 of this year.
He highlighted that the manufacturing sector has been the most affected, with 75,615 job losses. Here&rsquo;s the breakdown of the job losses in different sectors:
<ul>
<li>Wholesale and retail trade sector (43,614),</li>
<li>Professional, scientific, and technical activities sector (23,907).</li>
<li>Information and communication technology sector (19,931),</li>
<li>Accommodation and food and beverage services sector (23,124)</li>
<li>Construction sector (21,233)</li>
<li>Transportation sector (20,953)</li>
<li>Other sectors (65,262)</li>
</ul>
Abdul Rahman made these remarks in response to a question from Oscar Ling (PH-Sibu) on Monday (Oct 21) regarding the skilled training programs offered by the Human Resources Ministry aimed at enhancing graduates' marketability.
Additionally, Abdul Rahman referenced statistics from the Social Security Organisation, revealing that 575,044 active job seekers have registered on the MYFutureJobs portal from January to September 27 this year, while only 125,956 vacancies were posted.
To tackle the issue of underemployment among new graduates and local workers, Abdul Rahman noted that the Human Resources Ministry has introduced several initiatives, including the Training Program under the Employment Insurance System, the Prospective Worker Training Scheme, and courses focused on Industry 4.0.
&ldquo;The Human Resources Ministry is committed to ensuring that graduates and local workers possess the necessary skills to navigate economic challenges, particularly in technology and Industry 4.0, which encompasses the rapid advancements in automation and artificial intelligence,&rdquo; he stated.
Will The New Minimum Wage Improve Unemployment In Malaysians?
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/cbbfdb7f845ba99693898a82fe9f6847cd05b75038743796501889e3d183e815" />
On Friday, 18 October, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed during the Budget 2025 presentation that Malaysia's minimum wage will be raised from RM1,500 to RM1,700. The increase, set to take effect on 1 February 2025, is part of the government's efforts to improve the welfare and dignity of low-income workers.
Read: <a href="https://myc.my/articles/3868/government-establishes-new-minimum-wage-of-rm1700-hr-minister-criticises-companies-for-treating-it-as-starting-pay">Government Establishes New Minimum Wage Of RM1,700; HR Minister Criticises Companies For Treating It As &ldquo;Starting Pay&rdquo;</a> 
The minimum wage hike has received mixed reactions, with some expressing support while others, like Abdul Rahman, voiced concerns. He argued that the increase shouldn't apply to everyone, suggesting that it should be limited to lower-level positions like labourers, rather than extending to skilled and semi-skilled graduates.
Some have argued that increasing the minimum wage might lead businesses to hire fewer graduates, opting instead to retain their existing workforce. This is because it can sometimes be more &ldquo;costly&rdquo; to train new graduates compared to employing seasoned workers. 
It may be time for the government to examine these statistics closely and explore strategies to reduce the unemployment rate effectively.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
&nbsp;
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media &amp; various cross-references for context.
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With rising minimum wages and the impact of AI, could we anticipate even higher unemployment rates by 2025? 

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Deputy HR Minister Reveals Nearly 300K M’sians Have Been Jobless From 2020 To 2024

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Cornetto

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AXE MLBB

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BIllie Eilish UMMY

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Coke Fifa

Deputy HR Minister Reveals Nearly 300K M’sians Have Been Jobless From 2020 To 2024

With rising minimum wages and the impact of AI, could we anticipate even higher unemployment rates by 2025?

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