Tue, May 26 2009 - KUALA LUMPUR: The number of workers expected to be retrenched in the second half of the year is about the same as in previous years.

“There has been no extraordinary increase. Only 4,000 workers are expected to be retrenched, based on the request from the employers,” said Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam.

“There have also been requests for recruiting more workers. This is a very healthy sign,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing of the collective agreement between MOX-Linde Gases Sdn Bhd and the Chemical Workers Union of Malaysia.

All employers must inform the Manpower Department at least two months in advance before undertaking any retrenchment exercise.

Dr Subramaniam said that there were also employers who were expanding production and recalling workers they had retrenched earlier.

He congratulated MOX and the union for reaching a consensus on the collective agreement within three days.

Under the agreement, about 400 workers will receive salary increments of 7.25%.

In Kuantan, deputy minister Senator Datuk Maznah Mazlan said the ministry would set up 22 more job placement centres nationwide which were expected to be ready by the end of August.

She said the centres would complement the 80 labour offices at state and district levels, adding that the centres would be located at strategic public areas such as bus terminals and shopping malls.

“This will help to boost the match-making efforts of the Labour Department by assisting job seekers to get employment and offering a place for employers where they can advertise job vacancies and hold on-the-spot interviews.

“It will also be a place where labour officers can provide counselling and advice,” she said.