Malaysia expands Employment Insurance benefits and training support starting October
From October, Malaysia's Employment Insurance System will offer higher re-employment allowances, larger training subsidies and a new mobility grant, while Perkeso will broaden job-matching services.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said that amendments to the Employment Insurance System Act, approved by the Dewan Rakyat last December, will take effect in October. The changes double the Early Re-employment Allowance to 50% of the unpaid Job Search Allowance for eligible workers who secure jobs early, raise the daily training allowance to RM30, and lift the maximum reimbursable training fee to RM7,000.
A new RM1,000 Mobility Assistance Allowance will be paid to contributors who obtain employment over 100 km from their residence. Perkeso's mandate will be strengthened to include active labour-market programmes such as job matching, career counselling and other employment services. The rollout coincides with a three-day festival featuring over 2,000 job vacancies, resume assistance, health screenings and free Perkeso registration.
Why it matters
The reforms boost financial safety nets and skill development for Malaysian workers, especially those in gig and low-income jobs.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTBoth camps report the same policy changes, but right-leaning coverage adds details about a higher training allowance, a larger reimbursable training fee, and an expanded PERKESO mandate, while centrist coverage sticks to the basic benefit figures.
CENTER
Centrist coverage presents the benefit upgrades as straightforward enhancements announced by the minister, listing the new monetary limits and allowances.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage frames the changes as a broader expansion of employment support, emphasizing larger training funds, a strengthened PERKESO role, and the timing with a job-fair festival.
The right emphasises
- daily training allowance raised to RM30
- maximum reimbursable training fee lifted to RM7,000
- PERKESO’s mandate strengthened to include active labour-market programmes
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