MALAYSIA’S labour productivity, as measured by value-added per employment, picked up in the first quarter of this year by 2.7% to RM23,129 per person, compared with RM22,500 per person in the same quarter last year.

“Employment went up by 2.2% to a total of 15.6 million persons. This was in tandem with the relaxation of standard operating procedure, allowing social events and gatherings, and businesses to resume to full capacity as the country entered phase 4 of the national recovery plan.

“This scenario resulted in a favourable labour market trend during the quarter,” said chief statistician Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin in a statement today following the release of the Labour Productivity, First Quarter 2022 report.

Elaborating on the performance of labour productivity measured by value-added per hour worked, he said the highest number of working hours was recorded in the quarter, with 4.6% logging 8.9 billion hours, owing to businesses operating for longer periods.

“From the economic sector point of view, three sectors registered positive growth of labour productivity by value-added per employment during the quarter –  services, manufacturing and agriculture,” he said. 

Uzir said with the emergence of greater positive economic indications, the economy, as well as the labour market, would expand further in the months ahead. – Bernama, May 19, 2022.