Socso: Only law change can allow income deduction

0

KUALA LUMPUR: In order for the 20 per cent deduction from the wages of foreign workers to go ahead, the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) and Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) will have to be amended, said Social Security Organisation Malaysia (Socso) deputy chief executive (corporate), Datin Azlaily Abdul Rahman yesterday.

“However, this is just a suggestion and putting it into effect will require the go-ahead from Parliament as Socso hasn’t the right to withhold a person’s pay. Only with an Act can it be done.

“Also, there will have to be talks and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the labour source country,” she said.

Yesterday, Human Resources Minister, M Kulasegaran, was reported as saying that a technical committee would analyse the proposal aimed at preventing foreign workers from running away and employers from suffering losses.

He added that foreign workers will get their money back when their work permit expires.

“The technical committee (which I am part of) will meet soon,” Azlaily told reporters after an event to launch Socso’s 13-episode Bangkit#PERKESOPrihatin TV show highlighting the success stories of its Return to Work (RTW) programme.

Since RTW was initiated in 2007, Socso has helped 21,858 contributors transition back to work following an injury or illness through its comprehensive rehabilitation programme.

While reading out the speech of Socso chief executive officer (CEO), Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed, at the event in the Malaysia Tourism Centre, she said: “The success of these people is inspiring. They also prove to employers that they deserve a second chance.”

The reality-style show – the third by Socso – airs from Dec 21 every Friday at 9pm on Astro Ria and Astro Ria HD. — Bernama