Haven't received your wage subsidy payment? Malaysia employers directed to contact SOCSO CEO

Against the backdrop of Malaysia's extension of the Wage Subsidy Programme (WSP), as announced in the Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA) by PM Muhyiddin Yassin, employers are set to receive support to maintain their business operations and retain their workers during these challenging times.

As such, the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) has expressed concerns for employers who have yet to receive the Wage Subsidy payments, and has asked such employers to directly contact SOCSO Chief Executive Offficer through email ceo@perkeso.gov.my. Alternatively, they can call the hotline at 1-300-22-8000 or visit any of SOCSO offices.  

"SOCSO will do our utmost to make sure that payments are made to all employers eligible for the Wage Subsidy," the organisation stated. "As a concerned organisation, SOCSO takes employers’ difficulties seriously."

One of the reasons this could be happening, upon reviewing cases that have been rejected by the bank, is that there is still an error in the BRN (Business Registration Number) or bank account number provided in the WSP application. Meanwhile, there are other employers who gave dormant bank accounts or uncontactable phone numbers.

For further context to the issue, the relaxed conditions under the WSP include:

• Employers receiving wage subsidy are allowed to implement reduced work week accompanied by a reduced pay with employee consent.
• Employers are allowed to receive wage subsidy for employees on unpaid leave, subject to employees getting the subsidy directly – applicable for tourism sector and businesses prohibited from operating during the Recovery Movement Control Order.

ALSO READ: Everything HR needs to know about Malaysia’s enhanced wage subsidy programme