RFP: Strengthening Labour Market Policies in Malaysia via Identification of Employers’ Needs and Job Seekers Aspirations to Support Local Workforce into Employment (Албания - Тендер #43818627)

Introduction

The Ministry of Human Resources (MoHR) Strategic Plan 2021-2025 aims to strengthen the national labour market and the national employment policies through the optimization of the Malaysian workforce, especially in sectors that dominated by foreign workers. Hence, the MOHR with International Labour Organization (ILO) through a development cooperation currently conducting a Feasibility Study on Policy Measures to Support the Local Workforce into Employment.

As part of strengthening Malaysian labour market, the ILO is seeking an experienced survey research firm in Malaysia to conduct a study using focus group discussions method on the topic Employers needs and Job Seekers Aspirations in the context of Labor Market in Malaysia. The qualitative study aims to analyze the mechanisms underlying imbalances in the Malaysian labor market. The core study design will employ qualitative approach by using focus group discussions at field level. However, the quantitative data is still required to support the fact finding from the field survey and shall be derived from existing/available national/international databases. Therefore, the study shall conduct both qualitative and quantitative design to ensure consistency through evidence-based analysis.

Objectives of the Study

The main objective of the study is to understand factors that shape the employers needs in recruiting potential employees and jobseekers strategy in seeking employment, including filtering of available job vacancies, and factors that determine whether a job offer is accepted or rejected, it addresses three interrelated questions:

(i) What are determining factors from job seekers towards the labor market can be identified or confirmed through qualitative research?
(ii) What are the needs of employers in employing job seekers?
(iii) Do the employers seeking on particular set of skills/qualification/experience that are being required to be employed or any other criteria?
(iv) How are labor market disparities related to indicators like wages, employment benefits, educational background, age, readiness etc. and what are structural or other underlying reasons?
(v) Are current efforts by employers and government policies effective in addressing imbalances of national labour market and how can they be improved?

To answer these questions, an explorative and open-minded qualitative design will be pursued through the use of focus group discussions. The applicant firm is expected to undertake all related activities, in particular field mobilization, data collection, and data entry and quality control.

Scope of Work

The applicant firm is expected to prepare, implement and document 30 focus group discussions with a minimum of six participants and a maximum of nine participants each. For each focus group discussion, the applicant firm is expected to deploy one moderator to lead the group discussion and one recorder / secretary to log the discussion word-for-word and to assist the moderator. Focus group discussions are also to be recorded electronically and documented through infographics. Video recording will not be necessary.

See Table 1 (in the pdf attached)