PERKESO's Employment Insurance System expands aid for unemployed workers

PERKESO's Employment Insurance System is designed to help workers who lose their jobs rebuild their livelihoods through a mix of financial aid, career guidance and training. Deputy chief executive (Operations) Azirruan Arifin explained that the programme offers services like career counselling, job-search assistance, open interviews, career fairs and resume preparation, as well as placement via MYFutureJobs. For those needing skill upgrades, the system funds active labour-market programmes that focus on reskilling and upskilling.

A recent announcement by Human Resources Minister R. Ramanan increased the maximum assistance to RM25,000 per contributor, effective from the start of the month. Beneficiary Hamdi Ismail, a former bank clerk turned street-food vendor, said the support helped him transition to his new business selling mango-float drinks and grilled sausages. He noted that the scheme's contributions were instrumental in covering his family's daily expenses.