KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has urged workers to check with employers if their monthly contributions have been made to the Social Security Organisation (Socso).
In a statement today, MTUC vice-president Matkar Siwang said that workers should also ensure that the contributions are made according to Socso’s schedule, adding that failure to do so will result in difficulties when workers attempt to make future claims.
“Socso must also increase enforcement and conduct checks towards employers to certify that employee contributions have been deducted and channelled to the organisation,” he said.
This follows news of the prosecution of 13 employers in Kelantan for various offences, including failure to pay workers’ Socso contributions as well as not registering their company and employees for the protection.
Socso director Nora Yaacob said that from January last year to February 10, the 13 employers were issued arrest warrants and fines amounting to RM17,600.
She added that the latest case involved an employer who was fined RM4,500 by the Tanah Merah magistrates’ court on three charges of failing to settle its employee’s outstanding Socso contribution payments worth RM34,588.70 from 2013 to 2019.
Speaking to reporters at Kota Baru today, Nora said that Socso will be taking severe action against irresponsible employers to ensure that the welfare of workers are protected.
“There are still many stubborn employers who give various excuses to avoid registering their employees with Socso, including claiming that their workers are still new, as well as not being aware that foreign workers and small businesses must also be registered,” she said. – The Vibes, February 12, 2022
