UNEMPLOYMENT among low-income families in Kuala Lumpur have doubled during the conditional movement-control order (CMCO) imposed at the end of last year, according to the findings of the Families on the Edge report.

The third part of the joint study by United Nations agencies UNICEF and UNFP noted that unemployment among heads of households had doubled from 7% in September to 15% in December 2020.

Meanwhile, the overall unemployment in the households surveyed remained high with one-in-three adults being out of work.

Income levels among households headed by females and by persons with disabilities (PWD) fell by 24% and 36% respectively from the end of 2019.

A large proportion of the participants surveyed, who experienced continued reduction in income, were grappling with persistent poverty.

The poverty rate among the households surveyed stood at 42%, although government assistance helped in softening the severity of the deprivation.

The higher poverty rate was more pronounced among PWD-headed households (55%), and female-headed households (61%).

Households with earnings above the official poverty line were also experiencing difficulties in meeting their basic needs.

The report added that despite mitigating measures undertaken by the government, the Covid-19 pandemic continued to negatively impact families residing in low-cost flats in Kuala Lumpur.

“The latest data from Families on the Edge suggests that while some families have started to recover, others have continued to deteriorate and, at the outset of MCO 2.0, were close to breaking point,” said representative for UNICEF in Malaysia and Special Representative to Brunei Darussalam Dr Rashed Mustafa Sarwar.

“We need to reimagine social protection for the most vulnerable in Malaysia, including through an expansion of coverage of income support for low-income families, provision of targeted livelihoods support, particularly for the self-employed,” he added.

The agencies have extended their support to the government and were looking forward to working together to strengthen policies and programmes for families in need, he said.

Meanwhile, UNFPA representative in Malaysia Najib Assifi said the social dynamics among these families were changing as they did their best to cope with the worsening economic situation.

“With increased pessimism further exacerbating mental health issues, it begins to shape unhealthy living environments; psychologically and sometimes physically.

“None are more affected than children, those with chronic illnesses, the disabled and of course those who care for them,” he said.

The data for the third part of the report was collected by the Families on the Edge project in December 2020 during the CMCO.

It reflected the socio-economic status and well-being of a group of 500 families with children in Kuala Lumpur’s low-cost flats.

The mixed-methods study, covering a period of six months, involved a socio-economic study, well-being interviews, as well as a child-led photography component.

The study aimed to generate insights on the socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on low-income families with a view to stimulate public and policy debate as Malaysia aims to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and rebuild itself.

The second part of the report was released in October 2020.

The fourth and final report will be released in April 2021. – February 8, 2021.