
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.
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Views
Jun 24, 2026
AI and the Future of Work: Worker Rights in the Sharing Economy
As AI becomes more common in the sharing economy, this paper looks at its impact on workers and discusses ways to improve their rights, protection, and career opportunities.
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OP-ED.
Jun 24, 2026
AI and the Future of Work: Worker Rights in the Sharing Economy
As AI becomes more common in the sharing economy, this paper looks at its impact on workers and discusses ways to improve their rights, protection, and career opportunities.

Views
May 15, 2026
Possible Losses From Lowering The School Entry Age
Using Malaysian census data, the paper shows earlier school entry may reduce educational attainment and high-skilled employment prospects. Disadvantages are concentrated among lower-income children, potentially widening inequality under optional enrolment policies.

OP-ED.
May 15, 2026
Possible Losses From Lowering The School Entry Age
Using Malaysian census data, the paper shows earlier school entry may reduce educational attainment and high-skilled employment prospects. Disadvantages are concentrated among lower-income children, potentially widening inequality under optional enrolment policies.
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Working Papers
May 6, 2026
Rethinking Insurance in an Era of Climate Change
This paper explores how insurance can better manage climate risks in Malaysia, shifting from post-disaster compensation to proactive resilience and long-term financial stability.
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OP-ED.
May 6, 2026
Rethinking Insurance in an Era of Climate Change
This paper explores how insurance can better manage climate risks in Malaysia, shifting from post-disaster compensation to proactive resilience and long-term financial stability.

Views
May 5, 2026
Beyond the Pump: How Malaysia Can Weather Oil Price Spikes
Global oil price shocks expose Malaysia’s reliance on fuel subsidies to shield consumers. However, escalating fiscal burdens and uneven impacts on workers underscore the urgency of structural energy and transport reforms.

OP-ED.
May 5, 2026
Beyond the Pump: How Malaysia Can Weather Oil Price Spikes
Global oil price shocks expose Malaysia’s reliance on fuel subsidies to shield consumers. However, escalating fiscal burdens and uneven impacts on workers underscore the urgency of structural energy and transport reforms.
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Digital & Gig Economy
Gender Inclusion
Social Protection
Care & Domestic Work
Wages & Gig Work
Labour Trends & Youth Employment
Bor Neng Quan
Fatin Nadhirah Jamalolail
Hyun Bang Shin
Dania Arissa Muhamad Zaharin
Muhammad Najib Abu Hassan Alshari
Maryam Halim
Richard Kozul-Wright
Carol Fong
YB Liew Chin Tong
Ahmad Azeem Bin Yusri
Ayesha Ashraf Khan
Junianto James Losari
Eleanor Wikstrom
Dr Roza Hazli Zakaria
Stephanie Hsu
Tan Hui Hui
Kelvin Ling Shyan Seng
Khairin Ilaina Mohamed Amin
Govind Nirav Rao
C. Hari S. Shankar
Afifah Ahmad
Elisabeth Chan Wen Yi
Nurrdinan Serena Amer Sharaffudin
Nurhanina Zaharin
Dr Amirah 'Aisha Badrul Hisham
Nur Hannani Abd Ghafar
Tehleel Nazir
Yee Suet Ee
Balqis Athirah Azhar
Shukri Mohamed Khairi
Nurul Farhana Abdul Shukor
Aidil Farhan Jasrie Arman Sany
Amira Syazwani Ahmad Junaidi
Dinie Joshry Shaqeel Prakash
Ts Dr Amirah Aisha Badrul Hisham
Professor Joseph Eugene Stiglitz
K. Kuhaneetha Bai
Nadia Malyanah Azman
Siti Maisarah Zainurin
Ndongo Samba Sylla
Malini Elango
Aqeel Khaldun
Belinda Liew Ai Ching
Muhammad Khairulamri Muhammad
Nicholas Khaw
Nur Zulaikha Atiqah Mohd Zahril
Dr Diana Abdul Wahab
Dr Umawathy Techanamurthy
Bryan Yeoh Quan Jin
Wan Manan Wan Muda
Alyssa Chua Lee-Yen
Goh Ming Jun
Mohan Mahadeva
Yap Chun Hao
Syafa Sakinah Mustaffa
Ammar Hanania Hazli Izma
Dr Yunus Yasin
Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir
Professor Emeritus Dr Tham Siew Yean
Datuk Hisham Hamdan
Khazanah Research Institute
Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop
Tan Mei Yi
Emir Izat Abdul Rashid
Lim Han Hsuen
Ida Madieha Abdul Ghani Azmi
Musaddiq Adam Muhtar
Nur Adilah Hamid
Chakrin Utit
Bach Nguyen Luong
Zainab Ali Ahmad
Kusairi Mohd Noh
Rokiah Alavi
Ibrahim Kabiru Maji
Illisriyani Ismail
Intan Nadia Jalil
Abdulla Ibragimov
Siti Nooraznie Abdul Rahim
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
Prof. Wan Abdul Manan Wan Muda
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
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Views
May 25, 2021
Social Protection Policies Beyond Poverty Targeting

OP-ED
May 25, 2021
Social Protection Policies Beyond Poverty Targeting
Social Protection
Hawati Abdul Hamid
May 25, 2021
May 25, 2021
Views


Views
Apr 21, 2021
Starting point matters: Low wages in the job market


OP-ED
Apr 21, 2021
Starting point matters: Low wages in the job market
Labour Trends & Youth Employment
Nur Thuraya Sazali
Apr 21, 2021
Apr 21, 2021
Views


Views
Feb 25, 2021
Labour market gaps: More than just unemployment


OP-ED
Feb 25, 2021
Labour market gaps: More than just unemployment
Gender Inclusion
Nur Thuraya Sazali
Feb 25, 2021
Feb 25, 2021
Views


Views
Jan 19, 2021
Lebih sejuta isi rumah miskin jika tiada bantuan sepanjang PKP 2.0


OP-ED
Jan 19, 2021
Lebih sejuta isi rumah miskin jika tiada bantuan sepanjang PKP 2.0
Social Protection
Adam Manaf Mohamed Firouz
Jan 19, 2021
Jan 19, 2021
Views


Views
Dec 7, 2020
Bekerja Sendiri, Risiko Sendiri


OP-ED
Dec 7, 2020
Bekerja Sendiri, Risiko Sendiri
Social Protection
Nur Thuraya Sazali
Dec 7, 2020
Dec 7, 2020
Views


Views
Aug 19, 2020
Measuring Poverty: What about Eating Out?


OP-ED
Aug 19, 2020
Measuring Poverty: What about Eating Out?
Social Protection
Society
Goh Ming Jun
Aug 19, 2020
Aug 19, 2020
Views


Discussion Papers
Jul 21, 2020
Social Protection and Fiscal Policy in Malaysia


OP-ED
Jul 21, 2020
Social Protection and Fiscal Policy in Malaysia
Social Protection
Christopher Choong Weng Wai
Jul 21, 2020
Jul 21, 2020
Discussion Papers


Discussion Papers
Jun 5, 2020
Covid-19: We Must Protect Foreign Workers


OP-ED
Jun 5, 2020
Covid-19: We Must Protect Foreign Workers
Care & Domestic Work
Nazihah Muhamad Noor
Jun 5, 2020
Jun 5, 2020
Discussion Papers


Views
Apr 22, 2020
Household Production, Gender Inequality and the Movement Control Order


OP-ED
Apr 22, 2020
Household Production, Gender Inequality and the Movement Control Order
Demography
Gender Inclusion
Society
Christopher Choong Weng Wai
Apr 22, 2020
Apr 22, 2020
Views

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