A recent survey conducted by Ranstad Malaysia showed that more than 58% local workers stated seeking a career change and better paying salaries are among the top reasons when they look for a new job in the next 12 months.
Around 531 local workers were surveyed between 26 June 2020 and 5 July 2020 for its 2020 Covid-19 Labour Pulse Survey.
In the survey, it was found that out of the 58% of respondents who intend to look for a new job, 24% said that they were looking for a change in career or industry; 13% said their skills and experience no longer met their current job requirements, and 15% mentioned they had been retrenched.
The survey also revealed that given the current labour market conditions, 72% of all respondents also said they were willing to take on professional contract or project-based jobs.
Meanwhile, 26% of respondents reported taking a pay cut or a pay freeze either indefinitely or for a temporary period, while 24% were dissatisfied with their current salary.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has seen companies investing in building their digital infrastructure and network, leading to a great number of jobs being digitalised or displaced as a result,” said Randstad’s Malaysia and Singapore managing director Jaya Dass.
“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,” she said.
According to InterManpower, local recruitment agency, the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the implementation of IR4.0 that change the way employer doing their business.
“Employer has been relying on local workers and foreign workers in their production line to meet the market demand. When Covid-19 hits the Malaysia, all production lines have to come to halt during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.”
“Now we are entering the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), the RMCO is less strict but social distance has to abide nonetheless. With RMCO, more local workers and foreign workers are allowed to return to work.”
“However, most employers are now looking to explore the possibility reducing local workers and foreign workers in favour with more AI-based machine.”
With many revolutionary technology, it is no wonder some employer opted to change their business strategy to ensure they are not outdated with current technology.
Local recruitment agency is still providing the service to employers who are facing difficulties in getting the workers during this difficult period.
“We understand that employers currently facing this issue and we are ready to help them with the local workers. As unemployment rate increases, we urge the employer to recruit these local workers to meet the shortage manpower demand,” said Michael Heah, CEO of Agensi Pekerjaan IRC Sdn Bhd, a local recruitment agency.
Adapted from The Star, 05 June 2020