‘Awareness of Socso contribution via Assist Portal still low’
The registration for Assist is ongoing. Those employers who are using the 8A form have to register first before they can make any contribution.
SIBU: There is still low awareness among employers here on making monthly contributions to the Social Security Organisation ( Socso) through the Automated Socso Integrated System (Assist) Portal.
Socso Sibu manager Tan Phang Chia said starting Jan 1 onwards, the payment of monthly contribution can only be made through the Assist Portal as the physical Form 8A (contribution form) is no longer applicable.
“The registration for Assist is ongoing. Those employers who are using the 8A form have to register first before they can make any contribution.
“The problem that we are facing is the awareness among the affected employers to shift to this Assist Portal is still very low,” he said yesterday, adding that Socso would not be issuing Form 8A to employers effective this month.
“To make the payment, they (employers) need to have a document printed out from the system, called Acknowledgement
Tan Phang Chia, Socso Sibu manager
Contribution Received (ACR).”
Asked on measures taken by Socso here to raise the awareness of employers on the Assist Portal, Tan said they have a list of employers who are using the 8A form.
“For the past few weeks, our team has been going around the town to distribute the registration forms. Apart from that, some of the relevant agencies have already been notified and ( have been) asked to assist in putting up notices,” Tan said.
Similar notices have also been handed out to local banks, he added.
In fact, Tan disclosed that banks have already been notified by Socso’s headquarters to not receive payments without ACR.
“So, when these employers face such problem, they come to our counter to register,” he said.
He pointed out that as the 1st to the 15th of each month are for payment submission, he expects employers to flood Socso Sibu counters over the next couple of days.
Employers can contact Socso Sibu on 084-213066 or 084-213067 for further information.