Work, Jobs & Livelihoods
Analyzing labor market transformations, employment challenges, and livelihood strategies to ensure dignified work and economic security for all Malaysians.
Malaysia's labor market faces multiple transitions from automation, demographic shifts, and changing work patterns. Our research examines youth unemployment and skills mismatches despite higher education expansion, the rise of gig economy and platform work affecting social protection, minimum wage adequacy and implementation across sectors, migrant worker contributions and their rights protection, and gender gaps in workforce participation and career advancement.
As Malaysia navigates future of work challenges while ensuring inclusive growth, we analyze reskilling and upskilling pathways for displaced workers, social insurance reforms for non-standard employment, labor productivity improvements without job losses, mechanisms for reducing reliance on low-skilled foreign labor, and strategies for creating high-value jobs while protecting vulnerable workers including those in informal sectors across urban and rural Malaysia.
As Malaysia navigates future of work challenges while ensuring inclusive growth, we analyze reskilling and upskilling pathways for displaced workers, social insurance reforms for non-standard employment, labor productivity improvements without job losses, mechanisms for reducing reliance on low-skilled foreign labor, and strategies for creating high-value jobs while protecting vulnerable workers including those in informal sectors across urban and rural Malaysia.
KRI shares insightful commentaries on current topics to encourage discussion, but these do not represent KRI's official views.
Views
Mar 2, 2026
When do Men Care? Insights on Care, Crisis and Masculinities during COVID-19
This article examines whether the COVID-19 pandemic led to lasting changes in men’s participation in unpaid care. While men’s involvement increased during the pandemic, the shift was largely temporary, with women continuing to bear the majority of care responsibilities. The findings highlight the need for gender-inclusive care policies that promote men’s continuous involvement in care.
OP-ED.
Mar 2, 2026
When do Men Care? Insights on Care, Crisis and Masculinities during COVID-19
This article examines whether the COVID-19 pandemic led to lasting changes in men’s participation in unpaid care. While men’s involvement increased during the pandemic, the shift was largely temporary, with women continuing to bear the majority of care responsibilities. The findings highlight the need for gender-inclusive care policies that promote men’s continuous involvement in care.
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Views
Jan 9, 2026
Regional Insights on the Care Economy: Childcare
Despite the declining fertility rate seen worldwide and in Malaysia, the issue of childcare still remains, particularly since family structures are becoming more independent units. With many parents chasing economic opportunities and lacking community support to raise children, childcare services are in demand. This article will briefly explore how countries such as Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam are moving to improving the quality and accessibility of childcare services to allow for comparison with Malaysia’s own initiatives and provide lessons on the way forward.
OP-ED.
Jan 9, 2026
Regional Insights on the Care Economy: Childcare
Despite the declining fertility rate seen worldwide and in Malaysia, the issue of childcare still remains, particularly since family structures are becoming more independent units. With many parents chasing economic opportunities and lacking community support to raise children, childcare services are in demand. This article will briefly explore how countries such as Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam are moving to improving the quality and accessibility of childcare services to allow for comparison with Malaysia’s own initiatives and provide lessons on the way forward.
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Views
Jan 9, 2026
Regional Insights on the Care Economy: Aged Care
The burden of care is a rising issue faced not just by Malaysia but also across the globe. The increase in dependant populations in tandem with a shrinking working age group has led countries to rethink how the former population is taken care of while still balancing economic growth. This article will briefly explore how countries such as Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam are moving to tackling the needs of their ageing nation in order to provide lessons for the establishment of Malaysia’s own Care Framework.
OP-ED.
Jan 9, 2026
Regional Insights on the Care Economy: Aged Care
The burden of care is a rising issue faced not just by Malaysia but also across the globe. The increase in dependant populations in tandem with a shrinking working age group has led countries to rethink how the former population is taken care of while still balancing economic growth. This article will briefly explore how countries such as Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam are moving to tackling the needs of their ageing nation in order to provide lessons for the establishment of Malaysia’s own Care Framework.
Views
Dec 11, 2025
Increasing Intra-ASEAN Trade (Part 2): The Developmental Strategy
Relying on foreign assembly is a middle-income trap. To reach high income, ASEAN states must nurture indigenous national champions that control the technology.
OP-ED.
Dec 11, 2025
Increasing Intra-ASEAN Trade (Part 2): The Developmental Strategy
Relying on foreign assembly is a middle-income trap. To reach high income, ASEAN states must nurture indigenous national champions that control the technology.
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Malini Elango
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Fatimah Mohamed Arshad
Dr Mohd Yusof Saari
Pierre Sauvé
Tan Theng Theng
Charissa Lee Yi Zhen
Yap Gin Bee
Tan Kar Man
Junaidi Mansor
Alia Muhammad Radzi
Yeu-Mynn Yeung
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Tan Zhai Gen
Umi Maisarah Kamis
Shukri Mohamed Khairi
Wong Ee Kin
Dr Wan Khatina Wan Nawawi
Maia Hollins-Kirk
Grace Loh Wan Chi
Keelea Shaye Linsuau Soh
Hui San Chiam
Goh Hao Yi
Daniel Filippi
Azlin Natasha Mohd Ghazali
Balqis Athirah Azhar
Dr Sarena Che Omar
Aqeel Khaldun (University of St Andrews)
Aidil Iman Aidid
Nurul Farhana Abdul Shukor
Nur Thuraya Sazali
Yugendran Rajaendran
Putera Daniel Hakeem
Siti Aiysyah Tumin
Laventhen Sivashanmugam
Nithiyananthan Muthusamy
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Views
Jan 6, 2023
A New Vision for Social Protection in Malaysia
OP-ED
Jan 6, 2023
A New Vision for Social Protection in Malaysia
Social Protection
Adam Manaf Mohamed Firouz
Jan 6, 2023
Jan 6, 2023
Views
Views
Dec 28, 2022
Improve Nutrition to Improve Healthcare
OP-ED
Dec 28, 2022
Improve Nutrition to Improve Healthcare
Care & Domestic Work
Dr Teoh Ai-Ni
Dec 28, 2022
Dec 28, 2022
Views
Working Papers
Dec 2, 2022
Wages as Power: Models of Institutionalised Wage Bargaining and Implications for Malaysia
OP-ED
Dec 2, 2022
Wages as Power: Models of Institutionalised Wage Bargaining and Implications for Malaysia
Wages & Gig Work
Economic Growth & Structure
Society
Income, & Consumption
Nithiyananthan Muthusamy
Dec 2, 2022
Dec 2, 2022
Working Papers
Views
Nov 20, 2022
On the road to inclusion? Child wellbeing trends in Malaysia
OP-ED
Nov 20, 2022
On the road to inclusion? Child wellbeing trends in Malaysia
Care & Domestic Work
Jarud Romadan Khalidi
Nov 20, 2022
Nov 20, 2022
Views
Views
Nov 10, 2022
Increase Financing to Strengthen Malaysia's Public Healthcare System
OP-ED
Nov 10, 2022
Increase Financing to Strengthen Malaysia's Public Healthcare System
Care & Domestic Work
Ilyana Mukhriz
Nov 10, 2022
Nov 10, 2022
Views
Views
Oct 1, 2022
Building Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing Malaysia
OP-ED
Oct 1, 2022
Building Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing Malaysia
Social Protection
Jarud Romadan Khalidi
Oct 1, 2022
Oct 1, 2022
Views
Views
Aug 9, 2022
Together We Stand: Onwards to Inclusive Social Protection
OP-ED
Aug 9, 2022
Together We Stand: Onwards to Inclusive Social Protection
Social Protection
Puteri Marjan Megat Muzafar
Aug 9, 2022
Aug 9, 2022
Views
Views
Apr 4, 2022
Building Inclusive Social Protection with a Universal Child Benefit
OP-ED
Apr 4, 2022
Building Inclusive Social Protection with a Universal Child Benefit
Social Protection
Hawati Abdul Hamid
Apr 4, 2022
Apr 4, 2022
Views
Views
Feb 7, 2022
Exploring the Potential of Time Banks in an Ageing Malaysia
OP-ED
Feb 7, 2022
Exploring the Potential of Time Banks in an Ageing Malaysia
Social Protection
Nithiyananthan Muthusamy
Feb 7, 2022
Feb 7, 2022
Views
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