MALAYSIAN employment platform JobStreet has introduced the SME Incentive Helpdesk in effort to help businesses recover from the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among others, this programme strives to provide clarification to firms that may be unclear about the various company financial assistance and awards that they may be eligible for.
According to JobStreet managing director Vic Sithasanan, despite most restrictions under the movement control order (MCO) having been lifted, the reality today is that numerous businesses continue to face challenging times.
“We have made it our mission to help rebuild the economy and to do whatever we can to help businesses recover within today’s ‘never normal’ environment,” said Vic.
“As SMEs form the cornerstone of the Malaysian economy, it is imperative for this community to be firing on all cylinders again.”
As stated by the SME Association of Malaysia, SMEs represent 97.2% of overall business establishments throughout the country.
Furthermore, SME national secretary general Chin Chee Seong mentioned that the MCO has brought the SME community to its knees due to pandemic-induced restrictions and hindrances.
“Now that Malaysia is on the road to economic recovery, it is an opportune time to also nurture back to health SMEs that had been badly bruised by the pandemic,” he said.
In fact, Chin hailed the JobStreet’s SME Incentive Helpdesk programme and anticipates more industry initiatives to help SMEs recover from the pandemic.
Standing by our SMEs
The SME Incentive Helpdesk initiative enable businesses to seek information on available incentives that are relevant to them and the application processes involved, as well as to help them benefit from available hiring and training incentives.
Moreover, JobStreet’s partnership with HRD Corp is an initiative to allow exclusive training incentives designed to motivate employers to recruit new talent.
This programme is delivered via HRD Corp Placement Centre (HPC), a one-stop virtual portal that links Malaysians to employment and income-generating possibilities.
It will be geared at creating new job opportunities by helping companies manage total hiring and onboarding costs at a critical juncture in their business continuity and survival.
Employers can claim up to RM3,600 (RM600 x six months) for on-the-job training allowances under this programme, which would reduce the overall cost of employing new talent, particularly from unemployed graduates and school leavers.
“This incentive is available exclusively for hires made via the JobStreet platform. Furthermore, there is no limit to the number of new hires for which employers can submit their claims.
“The SME Incentive Helpdesk epitomises our commitment of ‘standing by our SMEs’ and helping them get through this trying period,” said Vic. – Dec 16, 2021
