GEORGE TOWN, Oct 6 ― The Penang manufacturing sector has over 20,000 job openings, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said when expressing confidence that recently retrenched workers could be absorbed by the industry.

"Restructuring exercises are conducted all the time, so there will be job losses and job gains," he said in a press conference at the launch of the first anniversary celebrations and launch of Phase Two of JA Solar.

Lim stressed that at 1.5 per cent, the unemployment rate in Penang was among the lowest in the country.

He also said new companies are still coming in while existing ones such as JA Solar are also growing.

"This expansion by JA Solar means 300 new jobs in addition to the 1,000 currently employed here," he said.

Lim added that rather than not enough jobs, businesses were concerned about not getting sufficient workers.

"Two days ago, the German ambassador said there are companies interested in investing here but told us their biggest challenge is in looking for human talent," he said

Lim said the state government has focused on developing human talent by continuing to promote  science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education.

Last month, 180 workers were retrenched by TS Solartech Sdn Bhd.

Before that, Rubicon Sapphire Technology (M) Sdn Bhd closed down its facility and laid off about 180 workers.