KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 20): The resurgence of Covid-19 cases this month brings renewed uncertainty for Malaysia’s economic recovery path, and with that the prospects of the labour market. Last week, the Department of Statistics Malaysia said Malaysia's unemployment rate rose a marginal 0.1 percentage point month-on-month to 4.8% in November 2020 – a five month high – with 764,400 people unemployed. Subsequently, economists raised their forecasts for this year's unemployment rate, as they expect a slower recovery, following the reimplementation of the movement control order (MCO). UOB Malaysia has revised its jobless rate projection to 4% from 3.7% previously, while MIDF expects it to come in at 3.8%. While businesses navigate fierce headwinds driven by the pandemic and seek ways to adapt their business to the new norm – like going digital by establishing online platforms – those seeking new jobs in this difficult period should equip themselves with the right skills to stay relevant in the job market, said economists.