Malaysian Employers Recognize OKU Work Ethic, Labor Market Participation Grows

A 2025 study on the employment of people with disabilities (OKU) in Malaysia reveals a significant shift in employer perception, with nearly 81% recognizing their work ethic as on par with other employees. The research, which surveyed 1,830 employers, also found that 71.9% acknowledge the role of OKU workers in driving productivity and innovation.

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Almost 81.0 percent of employers rate the work ethic of OKU as standing with other workers.

Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd. Uzir Mahidin, Chief Statistician, noted that approximately 22% of employers currently hire OKU individuals, reflecting a growing commitment to workforce diversity. This statistic is further supported by nearly 30% of employed OKU individuals belonging to the physical disability category. Among employers who have hired OKU individuals, a substantial 83.7% employ between one to five people with disabilities.

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71.9 percent of employers recognize OKU employees in driving productivity and innovation.

Looking ahead, almost half of all employers (47.5%) expressed a desire to continue hiring OKU individuals, indicating sustained willingness to expand employment opportunities. While basic positions remain the primary choice for OKU workers at 31.4%, this trend suggests a developing landscape for OKU employment, particularly in sectors requiring fundamental labor. Official confirmation of disability, through an OKU card, is held by 86.5% of employed OKU individuals.

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Efforts like these not only show increased employer awareness of workforce diversity but are also supported by the achievement of nearly 30.0 percent employment within the physical disability category among OKU workers.

Despite these positive trends, challenges persist. A significant barrier is the cost of modifying workplaces to be OKU-friendly, cited by 63.3% of employers. Additionally, 78.6% reported difficulties in finding suitable candidates. There is also a recognized need to improve employer awareness regarding the benefits and incentives associated with hiring OKU individuals. The report emphasizes that holistic collaboration among the government, employers, OKU organizations, and all stakeholders is crucial for strengthening inclusive participation in the labor market and supporting the nation's socioeconomic development.

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Holistic cooperation between the government, employers, OKU organizations, and all stakeholders is important to strengthen inclusive participation of OKU in the labor market and support the country's socioeconomic development.