More than 600,000 Malaysians are now unemployed. Malaysia currently has more than 6,400 COVID-19 cases and over 100 fatalities.
Malaysia’s unemployment rate is now the highest in a decade at 3.9 per cent, as people saw their livelihoods affected amid COVID-19 and the movement control order (MCO), said the Department of Statistics on Friday (May 8)t.
“The unemployment rate in March 2020 increased to 3.9 per cent, highest since June 2010 when the unemployment rate was at 3.6 per cent.” said the Department of Statistics’ chief statistician.
The monthly rate is seasonally adjusted.
“The high unemployment rate in March 2020 reflects the negative impact of MCO on the labour market,” he added.
The number of unemployed persons increased by 17.1 per cent to 610,500 in March, as compared to 521,000 in the same month in 2019, the statistics showed.
According to a report on CNA, in February, before the MCO kicked in, Malaysia’s unemployment was at 3.3 per cent.
The Department of Statistics’ chief statistician explained that the number of people in the labour force had dropped from February to March.
“The number of (people in the) labour force in this month decreased by 0.2 per cent to 15.84 million people, as compared to February 2020.
“During the same period, employed persons also decreased 0.7 per cent to 15.23 million persons.”
He noted that out of the 15.23 million working population in Malaysia, 2.8 million people were own account workers such as traders, farmers and freelancers.
“These groups of workers were exposed to the risk of unemployment and work losses that affected their income during the MCO, partly due to being unable to work,” said the statistician.
Malaysia first announced the implementation of the MCO on Mar 18. The fourth phase of the MCO is scheduled to end on May 12.
Prior to May 4, only businesses deemed essential services were allowed to operate.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that Malaysia has incurred an estimated RM63 billion (US$14.5 billion) of losses since the MCO came into force.
He added that the country will incur another RM35 billion losses if the MCO is extended for another month, bringing the total losses throughout the enforcement period to an estimated RM98 billion.
Mr Muhyiddin noted that ceasing economic activities further would deeply affect the lives of Malaysians.
Malaysia currently has more than 6,400 COVID-19 cases and over 100 fatalities.
By D Kanyakumari @ CNA