KUALA LUMPUR – Struggling employers can now claim for the wage subsidy programme after Putrajaya removed its condition where the aid was only available for staffers earning below RM4,000.
Bosses can now claim wage subsidies for their workers regardless of their salaries, as part of the government’s effort to assist businesses ride out the Covid-19 health crisis, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced today.
He said under the latest wage subsidy programme, announced under the Pakej Perlindungan Rakyat dan Pemulihan Ekonomi (Pemulih), a further RM3.8 billion will be allocated for this purpose, on top of the RM15 billion already rolled out.
The initiative, he said, will benefit 2.5 million workers nationwide, limited to 500 staff per employer, with RM600 monthly given for each employee for a period of four months.
The first two months will cover all sectors of the economy as the country is expected to enter Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan, while the next two months will only see sectors categorised under the negative list in Phase 3 receiving the aid.
Understanding the challenges faced by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Muhyiddin also announced additional allocation under the Prihatin Special Grant.
He said about one million businesses are expected to benefit from this initiative, with RM500 to be paid each September and November.
This is in addition to the RM5.1 billion already spent for this purpose, the latest being the RM1,000 given this month and RM500 announced for July.
The government has also agreed to assist government contractors by allowing a variation of price until December 31 and giving time extension for supply and services contract.
Among other initiatives announced for businesses include:
* Two-month automatic levy exemption for HRD Corp contributors who could not operate during the lockdown;
* Extension to the Penjana Kerjaya programme with added benefits;
* RM200 million funding for to encourage digitalisation among SMSEs;
* RM100 million assistance for 8,000 individuals in the creative industry;
* RM3,000 one-off aid to over 12,000 childcare centres;
* RM1,000 one-off aid to school canteen operators;
* RM3,000 one-off for sports industry entrepreneurs and area operators;
* RM500 Disabled Worker Allowance for three months;
* Three months moratorium for entrepreneurs with Mara loans;
* 30% rental discount for tenants at Mara premises until December 2021;
* Tenants that provide rental discounts of minimum 30% to be given special tax exemption;
* RM8.6 billion in funds by Bank Negara for SMEs;
* RM1.1 billion additional funding for microcredit programme;
* RM3,000 one-off payment to 5,300 registered tourism agencies; and
* Exemptions on tourism tax, services tax, and income tax for hotel operators until year end – The Vibes, June 28, 2021
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