‘Utusan must pay VSS benefits in lump sum’

PUTRAJAYA: Action can be taken against Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd if it fails to settle the Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) payment within 30 days as stipulated in the Employment (Termination and Lay-Off Benefits) Regulations 1980.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Mahfuz Omar said under the Employment Act 1955, any companies offering the VSS were required to make a lumpsum payment and not in instalments. Failure to do so, he added, could land employers with a fine of up to RM10,000 for each VSS offer.

“I am told that it (the company) is discussing the matter with the National Union of Journalists to find ways to expedite the said payment.

“So far, we only heard about the issue via the media. We have not received any official complaint from the staff.

“If it is true the company plans to pay the instalments monthly for one year, the workers must lodge complaints with the ministry.

“Without a complaint, we cannot act. For now, we can only monitor and get feedback from the media,” he said after the launch of the Conference on Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) 2018 yesterday.

Mahfuz said workers need not fear as their rights were protected.

The NUJ Malaysia has described the VSS offered by Utusan Melayu to 800 of its 1,500 employees as insincere, dishonest and suspicious as it was made in a hurry, without consulting the union.

Social Security Organisation (Socso) deputy chief executive officer (corporate) Datin Azlaily Abd Rahman said Utusan Malaysia staff covered under the Employment Insurance Scheme were entitled to RM600 aid a month for three months. Socso will also assist them in finding jobs.