Automation Affects 61% of Malaysian Employees

Malaysian professionals are feeling the effects of automation, based on a study by Hays.

Hays' latest survey asked employees if automation had impacted their job responsibilities, and if so, to which extent. In a poll conducted between October 2018 and January 2019, Hays' survey covered talents in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia.

Singapore and Malaysia topped the list, as most affected by automation with 45% of survey participants said they were partially subjected to its effects and had some of their duties automated and non-routine duties increased. This number is added by another 16% who said that they were indeed affected significantly by way of either:

1. A change in their job scopes
2. Total job redundancy

Automation across Asia

Singapore respondents produced identical results, as 41% and 20% of respondents were affected partially or significantly respectively.

Japan respondents were the least affected, even though they had 45% of talents say they have experienced the effects of automation, only 7% of them have felt a substantial impact.

China and Hong Kong were at a stalemate in terms of the absolute number of talents affected by automation. Though 43% of China respondents and 49% of Hong Kong respondents said they were to a certain extent impacted by automation, 8% and 13% of respondents had been greatly affected by automation in China and Hong Kong respectively.

"Automation is here and now."

Commenting on the discovery, Tom Osborne, Managing Director at Hays Malaysia, said:

“The prospect of automation in the workplace was once feared as an impending threat to jobs throughout the economy. However, we must acknowledge that automation is here and now.”

“Contrary to prior sentiments, countless studies have subsequently found that while automation will indeed lead to the displacement of jobs, it will, in turn, create even more opportunities. While automation will undoubtedly lead to disruption, it will also lead to a ‘hollowing out’ of jobs distribution. Middle-skilled jobs will likely become obsolete while opportunities will grow for lower- and higher-skilled workers.”

“To reap the fruits of automation, employers must be quick to equip their workforce to face the disruption already taking place by giving a fresh look to their training and development strategies, while employees, on the other hand, must take an agile and adaptable approach to their careers. Talents across all sectors and industries can also stand to benefit from embracing technology and updating themselves with the technical knowledge and know-how needed to work alongside automation.”

Need to Fill in Many Vacancies, Fast? We'll solve your hiring in just 2 days. Contact us at [email protected] or call 03 2242 4822 for a free consultation.

Source: Hays

Related articles

Are Malaysian Employees Ready for Digitalisation? 89% Say Yes
Job Cuts Are On The Rise, But Economists Are Not Alarmed
Most Job Losses in 2018 Attributed to Automation