31,258 employers in Malaysia have applied for PSU 2.0 wage subsidies, most from Selangor

As of 14 October 2020, 31,258 employers (representing 321,678 employees) have applied to the Wage Subsidy Programme 2.0 (PSU 2.0) Malaysia's Social Service Organisation (SOCSO).

Since applications opened on 1 October 2020, employers from Selangor submitted the most number of applications - 8,199 applications, representing 82,275 employees.

This was followed by Kuala Lumpur, where 4,215 employers submitted applications for 44,524 employees.

In a Facebook post on Friday (16 October), SOCSO reiterated that existing employers who have previously received the PSU 1.0 assistance can submit further applications on the portal. At the same time, employers or those whose application for PSU 1.0 had been rejected because they did not meet the eligibility requirements, can submit a new application for PSU 2.0.

Applications can be made online, through SOCSO's portal.

In a speech made in September, PM Muhyiddin noted that while most companies are now able to continue operating during the Recovery Movement Control order, companies in certain sectors such as the tourism sector may still be affected. 

Thus, the Government introduced the PSU 2.0, in order to help these companies. 

The programme will run as follows:

• First: wage subsidies will be given to employers who are still affected, i.e. companies that, since the RMCO started, still face a revenue reduction of at least 30% compared to last year.
• Second: wage subsidies will be given for up to three months at a rate of RM600 per month for each employee, up to a maximum of 200 employees.

Employers and HR can refer to this set of FAQs for more details on the package, including eligibility, application process, and more.