Activation Policies for the Poor in OIC Member States
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In addition to job matching services, a range of other support is provided. This includes jobs
carnivals which include activities such as open interviews, careers fairs, adviser support and
registration for the portal (i.e. additional assistance with registration).
To provide additional support to jobseekers, registered users are targeted for additional support
services. As part of the Malaysian government’s 1AZAM programme, JobsMalaysia has a specific
target to support low income households into employment. In 2014 a target of 5,000 jobs was set.
This target was set in conjunction with the Economic Planning Unit.
The programme is funded by the government and the programme relies on a strong performance
management and review process that is established from the head office of JobsMalaysia. Targets are
set at head office and then allocated to regional and local offices as part of performance monitoring
mechanisms.
Malaysia has developed an advanced reintegration service through Perkeso. Perkeso provides a
reintegration service for individuals that supports individuals that have suffered an injury to move
back into employment. The scheme is funded by Malaysia’s Social Security System. Although not
directly targeted at alleviating poverty, the Return to Work programme of this nature prevents
households falling into poverty from lack of work. The Return to Work service provides a significant
level of support to individuals to support either return to work or work with a new employer. The
service provided is line with leading practice approaches which seek to integrate persons with
disabilities (PWDs) into mainstream employment.
The service is based on aiming to ensure an individual remains with their current employer. There
are two parts to the service:
1 Matching to ensure the employee is matched with an appropriate workplace or employer
2 Developing return to work plans
A case worker works with the individual to assess their capability and identify workplace
adjustments. For those individuals that cannot be placed with the same employer, a job placement
service has been developed.
For those individuals that are referred to the job placement service, the first step is a readiness
assessment. This is an online test which identifies the jobseekers motivation. If the motivation to
find work is low, then the jobseeker is returned to the case worker and is not progressed. The case
worker will be directed to focus on the jobseekers motivation.
For those individuals that are assessed as ready to look for work an assessment is made that
considers the jobseekers: Physical Capacity, strengths, ability, working capacity and aptitudes,
limitations, education background, qualifications, previous work experience, disabilities and work
related needs, occupational aspirations, job preferences and access to employment
(transportation/accessibility issues).
This information is then collated on a CRM system and used to assess against job vacancies,
newspapers, job carnivals and employer engagement activity to find the individual work. The
placement adviser will then work with the individuals to find suitable jobs and also work with the
employer to make suitable modifications.
The funding for the service comes from social security payments. To encourage employer
participation, a number of double tax deductions are also permitted, for example double deduction
for expenditure incurred in training a PWD who is not an employee of the company with the aim of
enhancing prospects of employment.
The quality of the service is enhanced by thorough assessment of need for both the jobseeker and
the employer. In addition the service provides in work support to enhance outcomes.