BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct 4 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): Those who lost their jobs due to last year’s Covid-19 outbreak are ineligible for the National Welfare System (SKN), said Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah.
The minister said, “The financial assistance is for affected businesses or individuals, from September to November 2021, so those who lost their jobs last year are not included in this scheme.”
For freelancers, the minister said, “They are considered as self-employed so if they feel that they need support due to Covid-19 affecting their business or activities, then they can apply for the SKN.”
“In the coming months, they can apply for the Covid-19 financial assistance under the self-employed category; and from there, we will look into the process, Insya Allah.”
The minister also emphasised, “The Covid-19 Relief Fund will not be used to aid any businesses, as it will be used to assist the Ministry of Health (MoH).
“Regarding gym owners, they are categorised as self-employed. If their businesses are affected, they can apply for financial aid through the Community Development Department (JAPEM), under the third category.
“Through the SKN, they can tick the self-employed category for Covid-19 financial assistance.
“Once they have applied, the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE) will work with JAPEM under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) to help speed up the process, so that we can help them.”
When asked how long the application process would be, the minister said, “We will examine to see if the documents are complete and make sure there are no contributions to the Employees Trust Fund (TAP).
“If there are none, then it confirms that they are unemployed. “For the month of September, the contribution to TAP would be made up to October 15.
“On that date, we will check to see if the applicants contributed towards TAP.
Meanwhile, A total of 9,017 individuals received the Covid-19 vaccine on Saturday, said Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Mohd Isham Jaafar.
This brings the number of vaccinated individuals under the National Vaccination Programme to 302,258 or 66 per cent of the population, who had received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, 199,576 individuals or 44 per cent of the population, completed their second dose.
The minister said while the rate is above the global average, they “still need to step up efforts to achieve the target of 80 per cent of the population” fully vaccinated before the year end. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
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