Heng to Govt: Economic Stimulus Package must take into account employment of women & home entrepreneurship



Wanita MCA commends the government’s recent establishment of a special Cabinet Committee to strengthen the implementation of the Economic Stimulus Package to support and assist SMEs and discuss countermeasures. We urge the Committee to take into accounts the link between propeling the employment of women and home entrepreneurship when formulating the relevant stimulus package, so that women, who comprise half the nation’s population, may also contribute towards revitalising the national economy during these critical moments and enable industries to resurge after the Covid-19 pandemic abates. Women folk are wading through these difficult times together.

As we know, there are women who became homemakers to take care of their families after marriage. However, as a result of the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and post MCO, it is foreseeable that many enterprises are at risk of closing down. The unemployment rate will thus increase and affect the livelihoods of many families.

In such extraordinary times, encouraging women ’s employment and entrepreneurship at home is an expedient countermeasure so that homemakers or unemployed people (husband and adult children)  who have been retrenched may earn extra money from part-time work at home, help their families, maintain their livelihoods, and avoid the pain of losing their household incomes.

As for the field of home entrepreneurship, in addition to the more traditional and common industries such as snacks, handicrafts, packaging, etc ,women are also fully encouraged to enter e-commerce.

This Covid-19 contagion is a turning point as it has enabled us to witness changes in the modes and operations of doing business as well as e-commerce opportunities. So , like China, our entrepreneurs should seriously consider adapting to changes in the entire consumption model and channels, especially the potential and opportunities of services such as online shipping and short-distance express delivery. This is a current part-time opportunity that allows women to take care of their families while earning extra side income.

Covid-19 has impacted the country's economic growth, and many families will also fall into financial difficulties. In this dilemma, e-commerce will be the best choice for women to start their own businesses at home.

What's more - the cost of e-commerce entrepreneurship is not high thus should be highly encouraged by the government, including providing training, low-interest or interest-free micro-credit loans, incentives, and tax exemptions; so as to encourage more women to enter the e-commerce arena.

On the other hand, the government must pay attention to the employment of women, especially single mothers. All this while, child care and elderly are the two main concerns and hurdles to women’s employment. Thus, it is hoped that the government can provide them with the related support. This will reduce their worries and their abilities at work can shine uninterrupted.
Women are one of the pillars of the family and comprise more than half of the country ’s human resources. In stimulating the country’s economy, with the active participation of women, with all working together, we will be able to enhance the development of our nation’s economy.

Datuk Heng Seai Kie
Wanita MCA National Chairman

-MCA online-