KUALA LUMPUR: 58 per cent of Malaysians have the intention to look for a job in the next 12 months while 24 per cent said that they are looking to change their career or industry that they work in, a survey by Randstad Malaysia revealed.
Further, the survey entitled 2020 Covid-19 Labour Pulse Survey also showed 13 per cent of the respondents said their skills and experience no longer meet their current job requirements, and 15 per cent has mentioned that they have been retrenched.
On wages, majority of the respondents have cited reasons related to salary for their intention to switch employers.
26 per cent have reported taking a pay cut or a pay freeze either indefinitely or for a temporary period while 24 per cent of the respondents surveyed mentioned dissatisfaction with their current salary.
Randstad Malaysia and Singapore managing director Jaya Dass said more movements in the job market is expected once the economy picks up and new job opportunities arise.
"The Covid-19 pandemic has seen companies investing in building their digital infrastructure and network, leading to a great number of jobs being digitised or displaced as a result.
"Employees whose job responsibilities have been drastically altered to meet new demands may be motivated to join other companies where their skills and experience are still relevant.
"Some may even switch industries and careers altogether, and will look for job opportunities that are perceived to be more recession-proof or can provide a greater sense of job security, such as in healthcare and technology," he said in a statement today.
The study has surveyed 531 of locally-based employees between June 26 and July 5.
It aims to understand the local workforce's sentiments about the employment market this year and the challenges and experiences of job seekers thus far.
Meanwhile, the survey showed that 72 per cent of the respondents are willing to take on professional contract or project-based jobs, given the current labour market condition.
Randstad said out of the 28 per cent who are not inclined towards taking on contracting roles, 70 per cent cited the lack of job security and stability as reasons why they would rather wait for a permanent offer instead.
"Though contracting jobs are not what Asian talent usually would go for due to its perceived lack of job security and stability, many are starting to see it as a viable option during these trying times.
"With Covid-19, many have found themselves unable to safeguard their jobs and livelihoods and these temporary jobs offer some level of income stability to stay afloat, especially for adults who have recurring loans to pay off.
"As compared to being jobless, contracting jobs may actually provide more job security.
"Many contractors have also shared that they were able to secure a new contract even before their existing one ends, giving them continued employment.
"We strongly encourage candidates to exercise greater levels of flexibility and openness when looking for a job, as this will give us a chance to help improve the perception of the contracting landscape," he said.