APPLICATIONS FOR PERKESO BENEFITS CAN BE MADE ONLINE FROM NEXT YEAR - RAMANAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Starting next January, all applications for Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) benefits under four main Acts can be submitted online, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.

He said the digitalisation initiative covers the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969, the Self-Employed Social Security Act 2017, the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 and the Housewives’ Social Security Act 2022.

“To avoid inconvenience to contributors, applications can be submitted online using either a mobile phone or a computer starting Jan 1 next year.

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“I believe this is a positive step as it will save time and reduce travel costs to PERKESO offices,” he said at a press conference after his first official working visit to the PERKESO Tower here today.

Also present were PERKESO Board chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal and Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.

Apart from digitalisation, Ramanan said efforts are underway to implement the Non-Workplace Accident Scheme (SKBBK), also known as LINDUNG 24 Jam, by the first quarter or by the end of the second quarter of next year.

Ramanan, who was appointed Human Resources Minister following the recent Cabinet reshuffle, said he is committed to ensuring that the scheme, which has been passed by the Dewan Negara, is implemented transparently, smoothly and effectively for the benefit of workers.

Touching on cross-border workers, he said PERKESO plans to introduce a Traveller Scheme, with a feasibility study to be conducted next year to identify the most suitable protection mechanism.

“Almost 400,000 Malaysians work in Singapore and cross the Johor Causeway daily. I have instructed PERKESO to find ways to provide them with protection to ensure their safety,” he said.

To ease the burden on employers, Ramanan said PERKESO has agreed to offer an 80 per cent reduction in Interest on Late Payment Contributions (ILPC) from today until the end of February next year.

“PERKESO has agreed to reduce the penalty by 80 per cent, provided the outstanding amount is settled before the end of February,” he said, adding that the incentive is aimed at helping employers, particularly those in the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector, to continue their operations.

-- BERNAMA