Kuala Lumpur:The Ministry of Human Resources, known as KESUMA, has announced its readiness to assist media personnel and journalists who are affected by job layoffs. This assistance will include support through the Employment Insurance System (EIS) under the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan addressed the issue while responding to a query from Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) regarding concerns that between 100 and 200 employees of Utusan Malaysia may lose their jobs due to management and financial difficulties facing the media company.

The Deputy Minister stated that should the layoffs occur, the ministry will urge the involved companies to apply for assistance and assess the eligibility of the affected workers under the EIS. He noted that EIS benefit applications must be submitted within 60 days of the job loss, provided the specified contribution eligibility is met and relevant supporting documents are presented.

Furthermore, the ministry has outlined several intervention measures to aid the affected workers. The Deputy Minister mentioned six steps that are prepared to be implemented, which he plans to discuss with the Yang Berhormat Pulai to determine the ministry's role in addressing the situation.

It was reported yesterday that Media Mulia, the publisher of Utusan Malaysia and Kosmo, plans to restructure its business operations to adapt to the media industry's digital transformation. This restructuring is expected to impact around 100 employees and journalists from both newspapers.