KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry will roll out targeted support initiatives to address the impact of global economic uncertainty due to current geopolitical tensions.

Its minister, Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, said the move followed the recent spate of layoffs in the country.

“The ministry will announce several comprehensive crisis support initiatives for Labour Day on May 1,” he said in a statement after visiting the MYFutureJobs Premium Career Carnival 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here yesterday.

Present was Social Security Organisation chief executive officer Datuk Seri Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammad.

It was reported that Malaysia recorded 5,900 job losses last month. However, this figure was down 21.3 per cent from February’s 7,500. Most of the job losses were in the manufacturing, wholesale and retail, and information and communication sectors.

Selangor accounted for 29.3 per cent of the layoffs last month, followed by Kuala Lumpur at 25.6 per cent.

Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir had said the domestic labour market was expected to feel the full impact of the global energy and geopolitical crisis by June.

Ramanan added that the initiatives aim to enhance the marketability of jobseekers through dynamic interventions, including improvements to the Employment Insurance System Act.

“These improvements are expected to provide more comprehensive benefits to workers, including stronger social protection and easier access to reskilling and upskilling programmes.

“This effort is a critical step by the ministry to accelerate the redeployment of workers into more stable employment sectors, thereby reducing pressure on the national labour market,” he said.

On the MYFutureJobs Premium Career Carnival, Ramanan said 10,000 jobs, with salaries ranging from RM3,000 to RM15,000, were offered at the two-day event, which ended yesterday.

The carnival featured a wide range of employers, including multinational corporations, government-linked companies and private sector firms.

Ramanan said sectors with high demand for workers included manufacturing and services, as well as nursing, banking and auditing.

“The services sector accounts for nearly 30 per cent of the jobs offered, reflecting positive growth in the industry,” he said.

He said the ministry aims to achieve at least 200,000 job placements this year through various initiatives, including MYFutureJobs.