KUCHING, May 5: An assemblyman is reminding employers of workers at the Baleh hydro-electric dam (Baleh HEP) to fulfil statutory Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Social Security Organisation (Socso) payment obligations.
Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang revealed it had come to his attention that some workers allegedly did not have EPF and Socso payments deducted from their salaries while in other cases, deductions were allegedly made from the employees’ salaries but this was not reflected in their EPF accounts.
As a native born in the area, Nyabong said he is particularly concerned and wants the matter to be resolved immediately.
“Employers must ensure that deductions are accurately made from the employees’ salary and remitted to EPF and at the same time, make the stipulated percentage payment for employers’ contribution,” said Nyabong in a statement.
He said under the Employment Insurance System Act 2007 introduced and enforced in 2018, all employers in the private sector are required to pay monthly contributions on behalf of each employee who are employed for wages under a Contract of Service or Contract of Apprenticeship with an employer.
In terms of Socso, he said the contribution is important for the protection of workers and even those employed as temporary or part-time workers need to be registered with Socso.
“Employers who fail to register their workers or to make contributions may be prosecuted and face imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or both,” said Nyabong.
He believed that with the availability of Internet and online banking nowadays, employers should face no problem to ensure that EPF and Socso contributions are deducted and remitted into employees’ EPF and Socso accounts respectively on a monthly basis without any delays.
“Do not wait until these employees lodge formal complaints to EPF and Socso,” said Nyabong.
He also reminded employers that Section 48(3) of the EPF Act 1991 states that any employer who deducts the contributions from an employee’s wages but fails to pay the deducted sum or any part of it to EPF will face imprisonment for no more than six years or a fine of not more than RM20,000 or both. — DayakDaily
