KUALA LUMPUR: The younger generation and those currently unemployed must take advantage of the RM35 billion allocation announced by the Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday to empower and improve themselves.
Alliance of Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said through the Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana), those affected should make an effort to learn new skills, propel businesses and stimulate the economy.
He said in Malaysia, the number of jobless people has ballooned to 610,000 and is expected to peak at 860,000 by the end of this year.
"Countries, both developed and developing, are facing a negative economic growth like never before since the 1930's Great Depression.
So it's best for the generation today to take advantage of opportunities like these to acquire new skills that will help the unemployed do freelance work, provide home tuition or offer online services," he said adding that he felt heartened to note that the government is introducing a slew of measures to cushion the effects of this economic gloom and doom.
Among the latest measures announced in the 40 initiatives worth RM35 billion were the three-month extension for the wage subsidy programme at a cost of RM5 billion to support 2.2 million workers, six months' salary for the unemployed worth RM800 per month for those aged below 40, and RM1,000 per month for the disabled and those aged above 40 and an allocation of RM2 billion for skills improvement programmes for youths and the unemployed, affecting over 200,000 people.
Lee said an earlier stimulus package amounting to an unprecedented RM260 billion while also opening up several sectors to ensure the nation's economic viability while the country remained under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) is a good move to rebuild the economy.
"The people must respond. They must respond quickly, positively and responsibly.
"For those currently unemployed, use the next six months to learn new skills, start new enterprises, and explore opportunities in the gig economy."
He said they should also explore opportunities in the digital economy including digital entrepreneurship.
"This economy will expand as firms will increasingly rely on artificial intelligence for basic routines and for more complex tasks.
"The use of drones and the increasing reliance on data science will also provide new opportunities," he said.
He added that despite these measures to cushion the effects on the economy, there will still be a large residue of unemployed or unemployable people who may need other kinds of assistance, like counselling, to cope with their sense of despair and feelings of helplessness.
"In such cases where social concern is involved, we can get non-governmental organisations and the Health Ministry to provide the necessary mental health support including psychosocial support and counselling to those affected."
Lee said perhaps additional thought could be given to the question of whether or not more could be done to minimise unemployment through the Employment Retention Programme.
"Could the programme benefit from a further injection of funds? The current funding of RM240 million will only cover 66,000 employees which is only a small percentage of the projected number of unemployed people?" he asked.
He said the allocated sum of an additional RM5 billion for three months appears to be on the low side because this only amounts to about 0.6 per cent of wages per month in the formal private sector.
"For comparison, in the UK, the subsidy is up to 80 per cent for eight months. Singapore, Canada and France provide wages subsidy for up to 75 per cent.
"The private sector could also do more. Corporations which have, over the years, grown large and profitable as a result of the contributions of their workforce should now be more humane.
"For instance, they must not be too quick to retrench workers. They could try other means, like reducing salaries, cutting out some benefits and instituting other cost-cutting measures to continue keeping its staff on their payroll. This will be a humanitarian approach which will help to uplift their morale and maintain their mental wellbeing," he said.