A Malaysian minister said Thursday that more than 30,000 local and foreign workers had lost their jobs this year amid the global slowdown. Deputy human resources minister Maznah Mazlan told state news agency Bernama the figure of 30,650 comprised 23,149 workers who were laid off, while the rest resigned. There was no explanation why so many had quit.
The latest figure came after a labour group said late March that more than 26,000 people had lost their jobs in 2009 as employers are forced to cut back under pressure amid the worst global financial crisis in decades.