GEORGE TOWN – The state government in collaboration with other agencies said various mitigation programmes, such as job matching, have been created to help the unemployed.
Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy said there are at least 4,000 new job opportunities that can be filled by those who lost theirs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He added a total of 5,443 people have been laid off in the state since the pandemic spread to Penang.
Of that, he said, 122 people were laid off in March, 1,494 (April), 275 (May), 1,542 (June), 1,184 (July), 290 (August) and 536 (September).
“We also from time to time hold meetings with other agencies on how to address the economic impact post-Covid, including unemployment,” he said in the state assembly today.
He said this while answering a question from Zulkifli Ibrahim (Sg Acheh-PN) who wanted to know about the steps taken by the state government to help the unemployed.
Ramasamy said the unemployment rate in the state is at 4.5% to 5%.
He added foreign investors still believed in the vibrant business ecosystem in the state compared to others in the northern region. – The Vibes, October 13, 2020