The government has announced the Progressive Acceleration for Capability and Employment (PACE) Economic Resilience Package, valued at more than RM710 million, to strengthen human capital development and support the labour market. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim unveiled the package at the 2026 National Workers’ Day Celebration in Kuala Lumpur on 1 May 2026.
PACE comprises four main initiatives and will be implemented through the Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma).
Initiatives Under PACE
The largest allocation under PACE is RM580 million from SOCSO, which will go towards strengthening the social safety net through Employment Insurance System (EIS) benefits. This is meant to support workers who have lost their jobs and need help getting back into employment.
HRD Corp has allocated RM100 million under the HRD Yakin Madani programme, aimed at training and job placement for youths and vulnerable groups, with support from MyFutureJobs. Another RM20 million has been channelled to the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) for skills training targeted at gig workers, especially those in the e-hailing and p-hailing sectors. Rounding out the package is a RM10 million Industry Training Matching Grant from TalentCorp, designed to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups that offer industrial training placements.
The RM20 million allocation covers skills training specifically, not social protection. Gig workers looking for information on accident coverage, disability protection, and other statutory benefits can refer to the Gig Workers Bill 2025 for those protections.
Expanded SOCSO Coverage For Cross-Border Workers
Alongside the PACE package, the government also confirmed plans to amend the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 to extend SOCSO protection to Malaysians working abroad, starting with cross-border workers between Malaysia and Singapore. The move is expected to benefit more than 480,000 people who commute across the Johor Causeway daily for work.
Anwar noted that, on average, one Malaysian cross-border worker dies every week, or about 54 deaths a year, as part of the rationale for expanding coverage beyond Malaysia’s borders.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for the latest money tips and updates.
The post RM710 Million Set Aside To Support Malaysian Workers appeared first on RinggitPlus.
