Latest news with #Employees'SocialSecurityAct1969
Malaysiakini
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Socso cannot inspect private residences without consent
LETTER | I wish to share a matter of public interest regarding a surprise home visit conducted by a Social Security Organisation (Socso) officer without prior notice or consent. During the visit, the officer collected sensitive personal data - including photographs of my MyKad, OKU card, medical records, and personal medication - without any formal explanation or written consent. I lodged formal complaints with both Socso and the Human Resources Ministry. However, the ministry merely referred the matter back to Socso without conducting an independent investigation or providing any clarification on the legal basis for such actions. This raises serious concerns regarding: The protection of individual privacy rights under Article 5 of the Federal Constitution; Possible overreach of statutory powers under the Employees' Social Security Act 1969; Institutional accountability and governance standards in public bodies. Socso, in its official response, cited Section 12A(a) of the Employees' Social Security Act 1969 as legal justification for the visit. However, this provision refers generally to the powers of inspectors and does not expressly authorise surprise visits to private residences. In contrast, Section 12A(b) of the same act explicitly limits inspections to workplaces or business premises - not private homes. This discrepancy calls into question the legality of the visit and the internal policies that allowed it. In the interest of public accountability, I hope your newsroom will consider investigating or highlighting this issue. For personal safety and privacy reasons, I respectfully request to remain an anonymous source. I am willing to provide supporting documentation - including my official complaints and correspondence with Socso and the Human Resources Ministry - upon request. Thank you for your attention, and I trust your team will handle this matter with appropriate journalistic care. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sim: Bosses must settle outstanding contributions
KUALA LUMPUR: Employers who have been issued with Interest on Late Payment Contribution (ILPC) and compound now can enjoy up to 50 per cent reduction as part of the grace period initiative, which has been extended until May 31. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the reduction offer for ILPC is available to existing employers, except for those with claims for benefits and prosecution cases, as well as Compound Notice cases, including offences such as failing to register businesses/workers and failing/delaying in reporting accidents. He also announced that newly registered employers who are subjected to ILPC and compound action will be completely exempted during this grace period. "The extension period sends a message to employers who have yet to fulfil their responsibility..." said Steven Sim. "This offer involves 215,172 employers with outstanding ILPC under the Employees' Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) and the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800), amounting to RM100 million, as well as 198 employers who still have outstanding compound payments under both acts, totalling RM990,000. "Employers are urged to settle the ILPC and compound notices within the offer period. Failure to do so will result in prosecution action being taken after the grace period ends," Sim said at a press conference on the extension of the grace period at Perkeso Tower here yesterday. He said the extension follows encouraging response from employers and a significant increase in registrations and contributions during the implementation of the grace period. "Since the launch of the grace period this year, there has been a 40 per cent increase in employer registrations compared with the same period last year. "A total of 8,234 employers and 61,746 new employees were registered, including 46,094 local workers and 15,652 foreign workers, with 913 ILPC notices under Act 4 and Act 800 involving 433 new employers amounting to RM226,980 being exempted during this period." He said the extension of the grace period took into account the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Workers Day holidays, thus giving employers a second chance to voluntarily come forward and register. "The extension period sends a message to employers who have yet to fulfil their responsibility of registering their workers to immediately seize this opportunity, to avoid facing compounds and subsequent prosecution and ILPC charges after the period ends. "Employers who fail to do so face a compound action of up to RM5,000 depending on the offence committed, and ILPC will also be imposed due to failure to pay contributions within the stipulated period. "They can also be prosecuted in court and, if convicted, may be fined up to RM10,000 or face imprisonment of up to two years, or both."
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
PERKESO arrears discount for over 215,000 employers
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 215,172 employers with outstanding Late Payment Contributions (FCLB) to the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) are eligible for discounts of up to 50 per cent under the extended 'Bulan Pemutihan' (Amnesty Month) initiative, which ends on May 31. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said the initiative, however, does not apply to employers involved in benefit claims, legal proceedings or compound notices – including cases of failure to register businesses or employees, or delays in reporting workplace accidents. 'The arrears under the Employees' Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) and the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800) are estimated at RM100 million. This is an opportunity for employers to ease their financial burden,' he told a press conference today. Sim added that 198 employers have also been identified with outstanding compound payments under both acts, amounting to RM990,000. 'My message to all employers is clear – come forward and register your workers with PERKESO. After May 31, there will be no mercy. We will go all out to take firm action against those who fail to comply,' he said. Sim said the decision to extend the Amnesty Month initiative was due to the encouraging response, with a 40 per cent increase in new employer registrations recorded last month compared to the same period last year. He said employers who fail to register and contribute to PERKESO can be compounded up to RM5,000 depending on the offence, charged FCLB interest at six per cent per annum (calculated daily), or face imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of RM10,000, or both, if found guilty. So far, 913 FCLB notices involving 433 new employers, worth RM226,980, have been waived under the Amnesty Month initiative, reflecting the government's commitment to helping employers comply with social security regulations. Meanwhile, commenting on the newly announced cross-sector employer transfer policy, Sim said the government will issue comprehensive guidelines on the matter soon. 'For now, the focus is mainly on formal sectors,' he said. The decision was made at the 13th Joint Committee Meeting between the Home Minister and the Human Resources Minister on the Management of Foreign Workers (Session 1/2025).
