PUTRAJAYA: A reintegration strategy should be included in the expansion of the labour market as it forms an important part of any initiative that seeks to protect social security, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       The Prime Minister said it is crucial for activities like job search assistance, disability management, entrepreneurship programmes, as well as vocational education and training, to be expanded and extended to every layer of the targeted population.

       “The involvement of every level of the community, including employers, workers and job seekers, graduates, and youth, is needed to weather this unprecedented crisis.

       "Therefore, every player must play their roles and responsibility,” he said when closing the International Public Employment Forum on Wednesday (Sept 8) in a speech read by Human Resources Minister, Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.

       Ismail Sabri said to stimulate the economy which was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the government had come up with initiatives to support business continuity, employment retention, reskilling and upskilling programmes, encourage job creation, and provide hiring incentives through Prihatin, Penjana, Pemerkasa and Pemulih stimulus packages.

       The Social Security Organisation (Socso), he pointed out, has played an active role in the implementation of these initiatives since the pandemic first hit the country.

       “To increase opportunities, to provide room for people to fend for themselves, and to continue to be productive, the government has and will continue to provide financial, job and training incentives to ensure that no one is left behind while we plan to exit the crisis safely.

       “It is my commitment that the country’s recovery from this pandemic will be all-encompassing and inclusive,” he said.

       The Prime Minister added the government, under the “Malaysian Family” concept, will continue to focus on the national development agenda to make sure the people are taken care of.