PEMERKASA could reduce unemployment rate - Socso

KUALA LUMPUR: The expansion of the social security network under the Strategic Programme to Empower People and the Economy (PEMERKASA) could reduce the country’s unemployment rate, said Social Security Organisation (Socso) chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.

In a statement yesterday, he said among the active labour market programmes to be implemented by Socso was the incentive to offer temporary jobs and gig jobs.

Other programmes were the matching funds under the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) for women entrepreneurs and self-employed women, the extension of incentive period for the Apprenticeship Programme, and the extension of the Wage Subsidy Programme 3.0 for another three months on a targeted basis.

“In line with the announcement (PEMERKASA), Sosco will also implement a recruitment incentive under PenjanaKerjaya 2.0 which comprise short-term jobs or gig jobs under the KerjayaGig programme.

“The KerjayaGig provides an incentive of RM600 a month for up to six months to employees who are recruited by gig service providers registered under Socso,” he said.

Under the programme, the gig service providers which offer short-term jobs to job seekers will receive a one-off incentive of RM200 for each employee.

Mohammed Azman said women entrepreneurs and self-employed women would benefit from the matching funds of 70 per cent for contributions under SKSPS’ Plan 2 (income protection totalling RM1,550).

Through the SPS Prihatin Wanita Programme, the government would pay 70 per cent or RM163 of the contribution while the target groups would only have to pay 30 per cent of the scheme’s annual contribution, he explained.

Meanwhile, a total of 400,000 employees and 37,000 employers are expected to benefit from the Wage Subsidy Programme 3.0 with an allocation of RM700 million.

“As outlined in PEMERKASA, the programme will be extended for another three months on a targeted basis, specifically for the tourism, wholesale and retail trade sectors and other sectors that were closed during the Movement Control Order,” said Mohammed Azman.

He said further details on the programme would be uploaded on Socso’s website and its social media accounts from time to time, and the public could also contact Socso’s Customer Service Officer at 1-300-22-8000 or e-mail to perkeso@perkeso.gov.my for enquiries.

-- BERNAMA