The unemployment wave has caused stagnation in some industries, but at the same time, it has as well “boosted” other industries as many people wanted to be taxi drivers, hawkers or sellers.

If you like to visit morning and night markets, you would find that today’s night markets have been gradually expending, showing that the number of hawkers has as well increased.

According to a sample survey conducted by Sin Chew Daily, hawker stalls have been increased by at least 30% within a short period of four months this year.

At the same time, most people wanted to be taxi drivers as it did not require any special technical basis, but just a driving license and a taxi license from the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB).

Many prefer to be a taxi driver mainly because of its flexible working hours. Also, they are paid by cash and need not to worry about uncollectible debts.

Originally, there are 25,000 taxi drivers in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. But during the economic downturn, many have shifted to become taxi drivers. As a result, the number of taxi drivers has increased by 10%-20%.

Meanwhile, direct sales, which has been regarded as a business without investment, has now become one of the most attractive industries. Some of the unemployed or wage earners have joined direct sales to earn additional income.

The spokesperson of the Direct Selling Association Malaysia said that with the increase in unemployment throughout the country, many unemployed people have joined direct sales, resulting in a slight increase in the number of direct sellers.

She said, however, that the sales volume did not reach the target as consumers are now having less purchasing power.

She added that generally, various training courses will be provided by direct sales companies to registered direct sellers in order to boost morale and for self-enforcement. (By SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)