KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3: Starting from February 2018, employers may register and make payment for Employment Insurance System (EIS) contributions through the Social Security Organisation’s (SOCSO) ASSIST portal and the first payment of EIS benefits for workers with loss of employment shall commence in January 2019.
In a press statement yesterday, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem said as a temporary measure, the government has allocated some funds to SOCSO for the payment of interim benefits to workers who have loss of employment in the period of Jan 1, 2018 to Dec 31, 2018.
Those who are eligible will be paid cash benefits of RM600 per month for a maximum of thre months and are required to participate in the Re-Employment Placement Programme. Workers who have loss of employment within the period mentioned above may apply for the interim benefits through SOCSO’s Online portal (www.perkeso.gov.my/sip) which is accessible on any online application, UTCs, or visit any SOCSO office throughout Malaysia.
“I would like to urge all employers and employees to carry out their responsibilities dutifully as the EIS is a very crucial economic policy and active labour market policy (ALMP) in supporting the government’s initiatives to improve the quality of life of the people and for the competitiveness of the nation,” he added.
The Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800) was approved by Parliament on Dec 18, 2017. This Act will be administered by SOCSO, which aims to provide immediate financial assistance to workers who lost their employment. Additionally, the affected workers will be specifically assisted to find new employment via employment services by dedicated career counsellors, which also includes training programmes to improve their employability.
For further information on the EIS, please contact SOCSO at 1300 22 8000 or visit SOCSO’s official website at www.perkeso.gov.my/sip from time to time for latest updates. — DayakDaily
