MoHR receives many complaints that long-servicing security guards do not have contributions from EPF and Socso

by S BIRRUNTHA / pic by TMR FILE

THE Human Resources Ministry (MoHR) and the Home Affairs Ministry (MoHA) will discuss a new directive requiring employers to make mandatory Social Security Organisation (Socso) contributions for security guards.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M Saravanan (picture) said this is because the sector was found to be the most not contributed by its employees other than small and medium industries, school contractors, as well as the cleaning sector.

He added that his ministry had received many complaints that long-servicing security guards do not have contributions from the Employees Provident Fund and Socso.

“I will discuss with the Home Affairs Ministry so that regardless of whether the security guards work for a day or a month, they are given a safety net.

“I also warn employers of security companies to make sure their guards and employees are well protected,” he said last Friday after handing over Socso’s donations to three siblings who became orphans after losing their mother to Covid-19 in Klang.

Saravanan reminded that the security services sector is essential to the country as they keep people safe.

However, he said the security guards are not protecting themselves without Socso’s contribution.

“There is no compromise. After all, the contribution is less than RM20 only. So, I pledge to those employers to cooperate in this matter,” he added.

Meanwhile, when asked whether MoHR would conduct any related operations or inspections regarding the matter, Saravanan stressed that his party would be more aggressive.

“I have just made an announcement, so let’s wait first. But we will be strict on the employers who refuse to pay their security guard’s contribution,” he said.

On another note, Saravanan explained that his ministry also received several complaints where employers cut Socso’s contributions but were not accepted by the agency.

Hence, MoHR would request Socso to intensify enforcement and ensure that all employers of different sectors are contributing.

Last Friday, Saravanan visited three siblings who lost their parents K Selvam Kalimuthu, 53, who died of a heart attack in April and Chandrakala Sivalingam, 43, who died of Covid-19 in August.

Also present during the visit were Socso CEO Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed and other Socso officials.

Checks by the organisation found that only Chandrakala was eligible to receive benefits under the Employees Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4).

Saravanan said the three children have met the eligibility conditions, enabling the family to receive an invalidity pension of RM1,003.20 a month and a one-off funeral management benefit of RM2,000.

The minister noted that they will be receiving the benefit until they reach 21-years-old or when they graduate from higher education institutions.

He also stressed that incidents like this highlights the benefits of Socso and why all employees and employers are urged to make contributions.

“This is a must to ensure that your future and that of your family is secure in the event of any untoward incident,” he added.