Latest news with #Pelindung
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Finas sponsors 1,000 creative industry employees' i-Saraan accounts
KUALA LUMPUR: About 1,000 arts industry employees who do not have Employees Provident Fund (EPF) accounts will receive sponsorship from the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) to open i-Saraan accounts. The good news was announced by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil at an Aidilfitri open house organised by Finas at a hotel in Petaling Jaya yesterday. According to Fahmi, the initiative was introduced under the Pelindung programme which provides a social safety net for industry workers including behind-the-scenes crews. "The Pelindung programme is spearheaded by the Malaysian Film Association Coalition (Gafema) together with Finas to provide social protection for arts industry employees. "It is a strategic collaboration with the Social Security Organisation (Socso) and EPF for arts industry employees to participate in the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme and EPF i-Saraan without age limits. "This is a long-term investment for their future. Finas will sponsor the opening of i-Saraan EPF accounts for 1,000 industry players who do not have accounts," he said. Fahmi said that the quota was open until September and priority was given to industry employees who do have EPF accounts. "This initiative paves the way for retirement savings." Fahmi added: "Today we also witness the official launch of Gafema which was established on August 21, 2023 and is now recognised by Finas," he said. Gafema serves as an umbrella association comprising about 16 associations for producers, directors, technical crews, scriptwriters and animators. "I also welcome the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Gafema and Finas as a commitment to strengthen industry policies," he said.
New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Finas to sponsor EPF registration for 1,000 creative industry members
PETALING JAYA: The National Film Development Corporation (Finas) will sponsor the registration of i-Saraan Employees Provident Fund (EPF) accounts for 1,000 members of the creative industry. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said that the initiative, which will run until September, would prioritise applicants who had yet to open an EPF account. "Those interested may apply through Profima (Malaysian Professional Film Workers Association) and Gafema (Malaysia Film Association Coalition)," he said during a press conference at the Finas Hari Raya Open House at the Royale Chulan Hotel today. Present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and Finas chairman Datuk Hans Isaac. Fahmi also launched the Gafema and a social protection initiative under the Pelindung programme. As part of the event, Gafema handed over a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the Communications Ministry through Finas, marking a gesture of solidarity and a collaborative step towards developing industry policy. Fahmi said that one of Gafema's key initiatives, in partnership with Finas, was to establish comprehensive social protection for creative professionals, especially freelancers, production crews, and behind-the-scenes workers. He also said that Gafema, established on Aug 21, 2023, was now officially recognised by Finas as the umbrella body for the creative sector. "We will ensure that Gafema becomes the umbrella body for associations across various sectors of the film industry. Finas will primarily liaise with Gafema on most matters," he said. "Gafema has united over 16 associations, including producers, directors, technical staff, animators, scriptwriters, post-production professionals, and many others, into one collective entity to advocate for rights, welfare, and industry development." "I also welcome the presentation of the MoU from Gafema to Finas as a symbol of our shared commitment to strengthening industry policies," he added. Earlier, Finas held a creative industry town hall programme, where it provided a briefing on proposed amendments to the Finas Act 1981. The session also provided a platform for industry players to share their views and ensure the continuous improvement of the sector. Fahmi expressed hopes that the amendments would be tabled in Parliament by July, or at the latest, by year-end. He said that the legislative changes were expected to form a solid foundation for the creative industry's growth in a more structured and progressive direction.
