I RECENTLY read a piece by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz about the government’s proactive measures to create and retain jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He had correctly stated that employment is the lifeline of any economy, and allows families to put food on the table and earn a living.

For some, his words may sound hollow and unrelatable, especially if they have a stable source of income, but they struck a chord with me because I am one of the beneficiaries of the initiatives.

I am 29 years old and have been earning about RM3,000 a month working for a small advertising company for the past four years.

My company, like many others in the country, was acutely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent movement control orders. Business was bad and my boss was at his wit’s end, as revenues plunged to almost zero, but operating expenses such as rent and salary remained.

At one point, he told the staff that he was considering laying us off and closing the company. I was terrified as my wife had just given birth to our first child. Where would I get the money to raise a family?

But then he heard about the Wage Subsidy Programme and applied, despite not knowing whether the company will qualify. To his surprise, his application was promptly approved and he did not retrench us.

Although we had to accept a pay cut, being employed kept us afloat. I could cover the cost of basic household expenses, including for my firstborn.

The company managed to survive despite the difficulties. Though it is not out of the woods yet, we are thankful to be employed. With the recovering economy, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

So, when I read the finance minister’s views on job creation and retention, I can truly relate to them – it is a lifeline for which I am thankful.

My cousin is also a recipient of a government employment initiative. He had recently graduated and has been placed in a government-linked company under the Short-term Employment Programme. His experiences will place him in good standing with many, given the strong economic recovery in our country.

I am particularly pleased to see that the government has set even higher targets for job creation in Budget 2022. It aims to create 600,000 jobs next year, which are 100,000 more than the target this year.

And all this goes beyond the numbers. Each job created or retained has a human story behind it. For those like myself, knowing that I can continue to provide for my loved ones, including my elderly parents, allows me to hold my head high.

Tengku Zafrul is right about one thing: jobs give a sense of pride and purpose to the lives of millions of Malaysians who contribute to the prosperity of the nation. Many would rather work than be given hand-outs. I know, because I am one of them. – November 17, 2021.

* Lee Teck Soon reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.