SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government is working with the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) to ensure the welfare of former employees of the global tire manufacturer Goodyear Malaysia Berhad (Goodyear) following the closure of the company's operations in Shah Alam.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state government, through the Human Resources Standing Committee and in collaboration with Perkeso, has taken intervention measures, including a meeting session with Goodyear representatives on March 26.

He said several initiatives and approaches had been discussed and agreed upon to support workers affected by the company closure.

"Among the terms agreed upon is providing job opportunities through physical interviews involving 22 local companies from various industries at the Goodyear factory from April 22 to 26.

"In addition, both parties encourage the affected workers to attend career interviews as part of the Jobcare Tour Programme, which will be organised in nine districts across the state," he said during the Selangor state assembly sitting today.

He was responding to a question from Mohd Shafie Ngah (PN-Sungai Ramal) who asked about the state government's interventions to support those affected.

Amirudin said workers interested in joining the gig economy, particularly in delivery and packaging services, could apply for the state government's assistance through the BikeCare-1,000 Programme which offers an advance contribution of RM1,000 to help purchase a motorcycle.

Earlier, the media reported that the federal government, through an initiative led by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), had established a special team to assist the 550 workers affected by the factory closure.

In a statement, MIDA said that the team would help relocate the workers and offer upskilling and retraining programmes to support their transition.

 - BERNAMA