KKCCCI disappointed over first reading of amended EIS Bill — President

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KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui expressed his disappointment over the first reading of the amended Employment Insurance System (EIS) Bill 2017 in the Dewan Rakyat.

He said reduction of the proposed contribution rates for employers and employees at 0.4 per cent (employers and employers each contribute 0.2 per cent) was merely a way to appease the people.

He said the government should not keep on coming up with amended versions of the EIS Bill.

Lui reiterated that the government should consider incorporating the job search allowance and reduced income allowance under the proposed law as extra welfare for Social Security Organisation (Socso) members.

At present, he said the existing monthly contribution by employers and employees at 1.75 per cent employer’s share and 0.5 per cent employee’s monthly wages — to Socso was more than sufficient. Take a monthly salary of RM 3,000, as example, he said the employer would contribute RM51.65 and employee RM14.75 to Socso.

“Incorporating the financial assistance under EIS into Socso rather than imposing additional insurance scheme should be the way to go,” Lui said in a press statement yesterday.

Lui said the EIS was unnecessary and would be an extra burden to employers and employees.

“KKCCCI urges the government to give serious consideration on our proposal to incorporate the EIS into Socso. This will make the Employees’ Social Security Act even more comprehensive.”