PUTRAJAYA, Mar 29 – The Ministry of Human Resources, through the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) will implement a new initiative for workers in the private sector whose employers are affected by the economic impact of COVID-19 outbreak, as announced by the Prime Minister through the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (PRIHATIN) on 27 March 2020.
“A total RM5.9 billion is allocated to the Ministry of Human Resources through SOCSO Employment Insurance System (EIS) to implement the Wage Subsidy Programme that will benefit 3.3 million private sector workers in the country,” Minister of Human Resources, Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said through the ministry’s official statement.
Under this new initiative, employers experiencing a fall in income of more than 50% since 1 January 2020 can claim from SOCSO. For a period of three months, employers can claim RM600 per worker.
This is applicable for workers with monthly salaries of RM4,000 and below, who have registered and are contributing to EIS.
The payment of wage subsidy will be credited directly into the employer’s account within 7 days of application and approval. Employers can submit their application via www.perkeso.gov.my
In addition to relieving the burden of workers during these difficult times, the new initiative will also help employers to retain existing employees without having to retrench them in the current challenging period.
Daruk Seri M. Saravanan further explained that the Wage Subsidy Programme which will be effective from 1 April 2020 is an extension of the Employment Retention Programme (ERP) that was announced in the Economic Stimulus Package 2020 on 16 March.
For any queries, please contact Dato’ Mohd Sahar bin Darusman – Head of the Employment Insurance System Office at 019-3237000 or email sahar.darusman@perkeso.gov.my or Dr. Raman Ponniah is at 012-6050523 or r.ponniah@perkeso.gov.my.
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