Socso has paid RM6.39 mln in EIS aid to date

KUALA LUMPUR: As of June 30, six months after the Employment Insurance System (EIS) was implemented by the Social Security Organisation (Socso), RM260.9 million has been collected from contributors in the private sector, said Deputy Human Resource Minister, Datuk Mahfuz Omar.

He also added that as of July 20, RM6.39 million has been paid out to those who lost their job due to company closure or cutbacks, and up till July 13, 749 people have found new jobs through Socso’s re-employment assistance.

Private sector employees were required to deduct the EIS contribution from their salary after it was made compulsory in January.

The scheme is meant to help cushion the impact of income loss from being laid off through interim benefits like an allowance of RM600 per month for a maximum of three months, career counselling and help finding new employment.

“Since the EIS came into existence, Socso has received 14,291 applications for interim benefits, but only 10,681 people qualified for it,” said Mahfuz to reporters during a visit to Menara Perkeso yesterday where he met Socso chairman, Tan Sri Dr Aseh Che Mat and its chief executive, Datuk Seri Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.

Some 2,067 people were not successful because they had resigned from their company or lost their job before the EIS Act 2017 was enforced.

Mahfuz’s visit to Socso’s headquarters was his first since becoming a deputy minister and was meant to get to know the top management and learn about the agency’s role and services.