Human resources minister M Saravanan, in a written reply, said 141,191 workers were from the peninsula, 8,996 from Sarawak and 5,706 from Sabah.

The workers were from the services, construction, support services and administrative sectors, he said.

Saravanan was replying to RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) who had asked the minister to state the number of workers who lost their jobs due to the various movement control orders imposed since March 2020.

Saravanan said employers are required to submit forms on the layoffs 30 days before the worker leaves the job.

This is to ensure every worker’s rights are protected and the terms of payment are followed through by the employer, he added.

Employers who fail to follow the regulations can be fined up to RM10,000 if found guilty.

“But, till today, no one has been charged. All employers have been fulfilling the regulations,” he said.

Workers who have lost jobs are told to register at the MYFutureJobs portal for potential jobs or to register in one of the upskilling or reskilling programmes run by the ministry, Saravanan added.