Uproar over EPF contributions
> 30 Ipoh lorry drivers demand fund acts on complaints against employers
KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will look into claims that several transport companies had cheated their lorry drivers of their contributions.
This follows after a group of about 30 lorry drivers went to EPF’s headquarters here to file a complaint.
EPF Enforcement Department head Hardial S. Dhillon said the drivers must bring “documentary proof” to back their claims before EPF could investigate.
“We received the complaints that certain employers had not deducted the lorry drivers’ allowances.
“They (lorry drivers) said they will provide us with documentary proof in a week’s time and we will follow up based on the information given,” Hardial told journalists at EPF’s headquarters here after a group of lorry drivers had gathered in front of the building to express their dissatisfaction against their employers.
Earlier, the group of 20 lorry drivers from Lorry Drivers Coalition sent a memorandum to EPF demanding action against employers who deny contributions to lorry drivers.
Their spokesperson Rani Rasiah said most of the affected lorry drivers are based in Ipoh.
She said the group had provided EPF with the names of the three companies involved.
“Some transport companies cut drivers’ EPF contributions based on their travel commission.
“But many other companies also cut the drivers’ EPF contributions based on their basic salary, but the amount is very little compared to the amount they should contribute,” said Rani, who is a Parti Sosialis Malaysia steering committee member.
“The lorry drivers have a basic pay and receive commission based on trips. The employers use different terms for commission such as travel allowance to deny drivers their proper EPF contributions.
“According to the EPF Act, commission is subject to contribution too,” Rani said.
The Act states that contribution is calculated based on the total pay including bonus, commission or allowance but does not include travel allowance and overtime payment.
“EPF is a social protection scheme for employees, and when employers do not pay the contributions, their funds might not be sufficient in the future,” she added.