31,476 employees in Malaysia laid off from Q1 to Q3 2016

A total of 31,476 employees in Malaysia were laid off between 1 January and September 2016 - 54.2% (17,051) in the usual layoffs and 45.8% (14,425) via the Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS), said Human Resources Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib.

According to The Sun Daily, he said at the oral question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat: "Employees who are laid off will at least be paid termination benefits by the employer in compliance with the Employment Act 1955 or the collective agreement.

"Termination by VSS is decided by oneself and agreeing to the termination of employment by the employer, provided the employer pays termination benefits or compensation which is better than the legal provisions," he added, replying to a question from Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid (BN-Kuala Kangsar) who wanted to know the number of workers whose service had been terminated following the global economic challenges.

"Ismail also said that last year, 44,343 employees were laid off with 24,452 or 55.1% involved in usual layoffs and 19,891 or 44.9% taking the VSS," The Sun Daily reported.

The layoffs which could not be avoided were caused by various factors, among them, instability of the national and global market economy, he said.

"In addition, there is no demand or a decline in demand for goods and services, optimisation of information and communication technology, business closures in full or in part, downsizing of the workforce, acquisitions of companies, restructuring of the organisation and mergers also contributed to the situation," he said.

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