Human resources minister M Saravanan said the effort indirectly provided relief to the people during difficult times following the Covid-19 outbreak, besides helping employers in the affected economic sectors retain their workforce and stay afloat.

“The ministry will continue to be committed in its efforts to ensure that the initiatives outlined under Pemerkasa Plus can be realised and further benefit the targeted groups,” he said in a statement.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had announced yesterday the wage subsidy programme involving an allocation of RM1.5 billion, which is expected to benefit more than 2.5 million workers and 200,000 employers.

Other initiatives under the package include a one-month levy exemption (June) for employers and knowledge and skills upgrading through the “e-LATIH” learning portal, which offers 400 modules and skills courses for free.

The Pemerkasa Plus initiative worth RM40 billion has outlined three main goals and focuses on 12 strategic initiatives, with the human resources ministry involved specifically in the second goal, namely continuing the “Prihatin Rakyat” agenda.