WORKERS should be offered training and re-skilling in fields such as data analytics and artificial intelligence so that they do not lose their jobs to Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) technologies, an economist and academic said.

Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) president Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman has said that as many as 60,000 people could lose their jobs this year, the bulk of them in the manufacturing and construction sectors.

He predicted the retail and service industries, which rely heavily on both domestic consumers and international tourist arrivals, could also struggle.

In response to Syed Hussain’s claims, Barjoyai Bardai of Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNIRAZAK) said IR4.0 will make 70% of jobs in Malaysia redundant.

“Software, hardware and AI companies can replace their workers with robots. We need to provide training for the masses. Workers need to know that they must reskill or risk losing their jobs,” he said.

The Malaysian Insight had previously reported that models, secretaries and auditors are among the top 10 jobs likely to vanish in the next few years due to disruptive technologies.

Dietitians, hoteliers and teachers are among the jobs least likely to be replaced by robots and artificial intelligence, according to a labour market government agency.

Software developers, graphic designers and data analysts are among the jobs most likely to grow in demand.

Misleading figures

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) said the 60,000 figure could be misleading.

The left-leaning political party’s secretary-general A. Sivarajan asked where MEF had obtained its data.

“PSM disagrees with MEF on the figure. Our economy is improving, overall government projection is showing positivity and we are not sure why MEF made such a statement,” he said.

“Why are we bringing in half a million foreign workers when we know locals will be losing their jobs? Are we replacing locals with foreigners earning low wages? We are willing to pay low salaries but not willing to retain our workers? We feel that the situation is not as bad as stated.

“The government must look into this.”

Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff of Putra Business School also played down the figures used by MEF, saying the economy has improved.

He cited several studies from the World Bank and the Bank Negara predicting a 4-5% global GDP growth.

“It is true that there have been mass layoffs in the US; prior to that there were en masse resignations.

“But I don’t see that happening here. Data show we are doing well economically. Our economy will expand and it makes no sense to say that 60,000 people will lose their jobs.

“Our trade performance is showing positive signs. MEF needs to justify what it said.

“Maybe some sectors will be impacted but it is not as serious as MEF claims.” – February 21, 2023.