THE Penang government has expressed hope that employers in the state would continue to strive and remain competitive in the face of the Covid-19 crisis.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that the crisis has affected the people’s livelihood.
“Businesses are impacted, employers are trying their best to manage their financial resources and employees are at risk of losing their jobs.
“We hope that the companies will continue to stay strong without laying off their staff.
“The employers should apply for the Wage Subsidy Programme and benefit from it,” he said after launching the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) career search portal at The Whiteaways Arcade in Beach Street today.
Chow said that even the National Security Council could not anticipate when could the economy recover.
“The Wage Subsidy Programme is implemented to address the rising unemployment and promote retention of employees. I believe any form of assistance to the rakyat is welcome,” he added.
Chow was commenting on the Federal Government’s Short-Term Economic Recovery Plan.
According to the Short-Term Economic Recovery Plan, the Wage Subsidy Programme which apportions RM600 per month per worker, will be extended for another three months.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alvie Cheng
Video by Law Suun Ting