PUTRAJAYA, Aug 10 — The Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) is deploying early interventions to ensure that 541 employees of Panasonic AVC Networks Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Sdn Bhd who are facing retrenchment do not experience prolonged unemployment, through income protection assistance, job matching, and skills training.

Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said that the “from job loss to new job” approach is being implemented through collaboration between the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) and the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) to ensure the welfare and career continuity of the employees are safeguarded.

“Kesuma will ensure that employees affected by job loss are given appropriate support and are not left to face this transition period without assistance. Through Perkeso, interventions will be mobilised as early as possible to help them obtain income protection and return to the job market,” he said in a statement today.

Ramanan said JTKSM, through the Subang Jaya Labour Office (PTK), received the Notification Form for Employee Retrenchment (PK Form) from the company on July 23 and 27, and conducted an investigation on July 27.

He stated that the investigation found a total of 541 employees, consisting of 415 local workers and 126 foreign workers, are involved in the retrenchment, which will be implemented in two stages on October 31, 2026, and March 31, 2027.

He said the company has committed to settling the payments entitled to the employees, including wages, wages in lieu of notice, payment in lieu of annual leave, and termination benefits, with an estimated total amount of RM64.38 million.

“As a follow-up action, Perkeso and JTKSM will hold further discussions with Panasonic tomorrow to coordinate actions regarding employee protection, benefit eligibility, and job placement interventions,” he said.

“Among the assistance to be provided includes advisory services and assistance for SIP [Employment Insurance System] benefit applications for eligible employees as temporary income support throughout the employment transition period,” he added.

Ramanan said Perkeso will initiate employee profiling to determine individual needs before providing assistance for benefit claims under the Employment Insurance System (SIP), career counseling, job matching through MYFutureJobs, and interview programs with employers who have vacancies.

Additionally, Ramanan stated that employees requiring skills adjustments will be offered reskilling and upskilling training programmes to enhance their chances of securing new employment.

Meanwhile, he noted that JTKSM will continue to monitor the implementation of the employee retrenchment and the payment of benefits in accordance with legal provisions, including taking enforcement action should the company fail to fulfill its responsibilities.

Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Panasonic), had through a statement, announced the closure of production operations for two products, which will affect 400 employees by the end of March next year. — Bernama