Can Gig Economy Help to Solve Unemployment in Malaysia?

The government is encouraged to focus on providing more new platforms, gig economy, and matching job opportunities for job seekers.

MAUKERJA.my's chief executive officer, Ray Teng, said the two measures can help the government to overcome the unemployment issue and even boost the public’s confidence as we head into the new normal following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He also suggested that the focus should be given to the training and skills development sectors so it can be adapted to the new normal.

"There are three sectors that needed attention. First, the matching of job seekers with job opportunities that not only involves job seekers and employers but also companies that provide job opportunities.

"Secondly, we are exploring new segments of employment, particularly gig economies that offer as temporary or contractual workers, while the third is focusing on areas related to training and skills development.

The gig economy can help to solve the unemployment problem.

"I believe this will help us cope with the new normal and revitalize the country's economy," he said, adding that more opportunities would be given to job-related organisations.

He also said the government would need to work with such organisations and open up space for them to give their views on any future economic recovery plans.

"The views of experts, professionals and people in the field need to be taken into account as they understand the current situation. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to provide my view to the Ministry of Finance who showed interest in the job search sector.

"This is because many are worried about losing their jobs due to the economic uncertainty of the COVID-19 impact," he said.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of GOGET Malaysia, Francesca Chia, said now is a good time for the government to empower the job search sector as well as the training and skills development sector.

She said that in the face of the digital sector demanding new skills, the focus should also be given to these areas as the new normal opened up a larger space for the gig economy to thrive alongside digital advancement.

"So, the government's focus needs to be directed to these two areas," she said, adding that the short-term economic recovery plan should take into account the creation of new employment opportunities that are closely linked to the gig and digital economic development.

"The new normal also demands the creation of new job opportunities. In the past, job matching only focused on traditional and permanent employment sectors, now many companies are trying to narrow down operations by reducing employees and replacing them with temporary or contractually hired professionals.

"Again, the aspects of training, skills, retraining continue to be emphasised. I believe that in the new normal, highly trained skilled workers are in high demand," she said.

Source: Berita Harian

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