Latest news with #i-Saraan
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Perkeso contributions to be mandatory under Gig Workers Bill, says Sim
KUALA LUMPUR: All platform providers will be required to deduct contributions to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) under the Gig Workers Bill. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the percentage or deduction rate for each transaction will be determined through rules that will be released later. "Socso will strengthen monitoring mechanisms and conduct regular audits on platform providers to ensure full compliance with social security protection requirements. "In addition, an integrated digital system is being developed to facilitate centralised coordination of gig workers' contribution registration data," he said in a written parliamentary reply. He said the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has introduced i-Saraan, a voluntary contribution scheme that provides gig workers the opportunity to contribute towards their retirement. "However, the decision on whether EPF contributions should be made mandatory for gig workers falls under the purview of the Finance Ministry," he said. On minimum income rates for gig workers, Sim said it is the duty of the Gig Consultative Council to oversee the matter. "The function of this council is to advise and make recommendations to the government regarding minimum income rates, the formula for determining enforcement dates, order reviews, and other matters relating to gig workers and contracting entities. "This council will operate on a tripartite basis, involving representatives of gig workers, employers or platform providers, and the government," he said. He was responding to a question from Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) on the matter. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said the bill would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat for its first reading on Aug 14, with the second reading scheduled for Aug 26. However, the bill has yet to be tabled due to a last-minute delay. Last week, Sim reportedly assured that the bill would still be tabled this month.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
FINAS, EPF, PERKESO boost social protections for Malaysian artistes
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) is enhancing social protections for local artistes through a partnership with the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) and the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO). The collaboration is supported by the Federation of Malaysian Film Associations (GAFEMA) to ensure better welfare for industry professionals. FINAS chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib said the initiative enables artistes to enrol in PERKESO's Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) and EPF's voluntary i-Saraan scheme. He added that 200 veteran artistes have already been approved for benefits under the PERKESO SKSPS scheme. FINAS has also sponsored the opening of 1,000 i-Saraan accounts, with priority given to unregistered artistes until September 2025. Azmir stated that FINAS is exploring special incentives or dedicated funds for veteran artistes to sustain their contributions to the industry. Future amendments to the FINAS Act will focus on production workers' welfare, including insurance and mandatory contributions through filming licences. PERKESO data shows a significant rise in registered artistes, from 690 in 2020 to 9,000 in 2024. Contributions under the i-Saraan scheme have surpassed RM23 million, involving 3,900 workers with substantial savings. - Bernama
Barnama
4 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
FINAS, EPF, PERKESO Strengthen Social Protections For Local Artistes
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- The National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) is strengthening social protection for Malaysian artistes through a collaboration with the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) and the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) with support from the Federation of Malaysian Film Associations (GAFEMA). Its chief executive officer, Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib said the collaboration would allow artistes to sign up for PERKESO's Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) and EPF's voluntary i-Saraan scheme as their long-term investment and their welfare, adding that 200 veteran artistes have been approved to receive benefits under the PERKESO SKSPS scheme. 'FINAS has also sponsored the opening of 1,000 i-Saraan accounts. This quota is open till September 2025 with priority for artistes who have never registered,' he said when met after presenting PERKESO contributor certificates and EPF member certificates to local artistes here today.
Malaysian Reserve
17-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
i-Saraan financial awareness programme empowers younger generation
GEORGE TOWN — The Employees Provident Fund's (EPF) i-Saraan programme is an important initiative in empowering the younger generation through financial knowledge and awareness. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying (picture) said aside from helping self-employed individuals such as small traders, farmers, fishermen and housewives, it is now also open to teenagers as young as 14 years old. 'This move will help to instil a savings culture and build financial management awareness from a young age so that future generations are better prepared and resilient in facing economic challenges,' she said in her speech at the EPF i-Saraan Contribution Presentation Ceremony for Tanjong B40 Students here today. The programme was attended by students and teachers from five schools: St. Xavier's Institution, Kolej Tingkatan Enam Hutchings, SMK Westlands, SMKA Perempuan Al-Mashoor, and the Penang Methodist Girls School. According to Lim, who is also the Tanjong Member of Parliament, each ringgit saved is an investment for the future, and through the i-Saraan scheme, contributors will receive a matching annual government incentive of 20 per cent, which is capped at RM500, with a lifetime maximum of RM5,000. Lim said that in 2024, the government allocated RM114.8 million for the i-Saraan scheme, benefiting more than 529,000 contributors. 'As a sign of my support for this initiative, I have taken the step to contribute RM10,000 to open i-Saraan accounts for 200 students from the B40 group. 'Each student will receive RM50 to start with, and I hope that this is not just about opening an account but also a symbol of our confidence in your potential to take this step towards financial literacy,' she said. — BERNAMA
Barnama
17-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
i-Saraan Financial Awareness Programme Empowers Younger Generation
REGION - NORTHERN > NEWS GEORGE TOWN, July 17 (Bernama) -- The Employees Provident Fund's (EPF) i-Saraan programme is an important initiative in empowering the younger generation through financial knowledge and awareness. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said aside from helping self-employed individuals such as small traders, farmers, fishermen and housewives, it is now also open to teenagers as young as 14 years old. 'This move will help to instil a savings culture and build financial management awareness from a young age so that future generations are better prepared and resilient in facing economic challenges,' she said in her speech at the EPF i-Saraan Contribution Presentation Ceremony for Tanjong B40 Students here today. bootstrap slideshow The programme was attended by students and teachers from five schools: St. Xavier's Institution, Kolej Tingkatan Enam Hutchings, SMK Westlands, SMKA Perempuan Al-Mashoor, and the Penang Methodist Girls School. According to Lim, who is also the Tanjong Member of Parliament, each ringgit saved is an investment for the future, and through the i-Saraan scheme, contributors will receive a matching annual government incentive of 20 per cent, which is capped at RM500, with a lifetime maximum of RM5,000. Lim said that in 2024, the government allocated RM114.8 million for the i-Saraan scheme, benefiting more than 529,000 contributors. 'As a sign of my support for this initiative, I have taken the step to contribute RM10,000 to open i-Saraan accounts for 200 students from the B40 group. 'Each student will receive RM50 to start with, and I hope that this is not just about opening an account but also a symbol of our confidence in your potential to take this step towards financial literacy,' she said. -- BERNAMA
